Category: English

Dad said he was bringing home a scholarship student he was sponsoring for the holidays. My first thought: Oh no, could this scholarship student be Dad’s secret daughter? I secretly did a DNA test for both of them. No match. I relaxed and got along well with Ivy Greene. The day before school started, I went to ask Dad to sign the share transfer agreement. Just as I reached his bedroom door, I heard moaning from inside. “Honey, will Melody really transfer all the shares to you? They say it’s hard being a stepmother. I don’t want to live under your daughter’s thumb.” “Of course she will. I can’t bear to see my sweetheart suffer.” Hearing the familiar voices, I froze. Damn it. I was careless. She wasn’t his secret daughter, but his mistress. 0 “Dad, why did you lock the door? I need to talk to you about something.” I knocked loudly, shouting. The noises inside stopped abruptly, followed by the rustle of clothes being put on. Five minutes later, the door opened. Dad blocked the doorway, his face wearing the usual loving smile. “Melody, what’s the matter so late?” “Let’s talk inside,” I said, pushing past him despite his attempt to block me. “Huh? It’s already 10 PM? Ivy, why are you in my dad’s room?” I feigned surprise upon seeing Ivy. Faced with my question, Dad looked guilty, avoiding my gaze. Ivy, on the other hand, came forward and linked her arm with mine. “Well, since school’s starting soon, I wanted to discuss with Mr. Sullivan about moving into your dorm as a surprise for you.” Ivy’s smile was as natural as ever, showing no signs of deceit. Ivy was a scholarship student sponsored by my family. She had worked hard and got into Starling University. This year, she was invited by Dad to spend the holidays with us. We got along well, so I let Ivy stay until now. I never imagined she’d team up with Dad to give me such a big “surprise”. “It’s all your fault for coming suddenly. Now the surprise is ruined,” Ivy said, half-pouting and half-reproachful as she clung to my arm. I laughed coldly inside. Thank goodness I came suddenly, or I might not have been able to handle this “surprise”. No wonder Ivy, who’s my age, could seduce my dad. With her psychological resilience and quick thinking, she truly lived up to her reputation as a top student. “Oh, I see. I thought you came here in the middle of the night to do something with my dad,” I said, my tone dripping with sarcasm. Ivy’s smile almost faltered. She chided, “Melody, what are you saying?” Dad had regained his usual composure and came over to scold me, “Melody, reputation is important. Don’t talk nonsense.” “But the room smells funny, just like those bushes on campus that reek during spring,” I said, pretending to be wronged. “Oh my, it was like this when I came in too,” Ivy chimed in. “Melody, you need to understand Mr. Sullivan. You know, men sometimes… well…” Ivy trailed off, looking bashful. “In short, single men have certain needs. We girls shouldn’t ask too much about it.” Dad nodded approvingly at Ivy’s words, then turned to me. “Melody, why did you come so late?” I waved the share transfer agreement in my hand. Dad and Ivy’s eyes lit up simultaneously. “Melody, I won’t disturb your father-daughter talk then,” Ivy said. “Goodnight, Mr. Sullivan.” 0

Now that I’ve discovered Dad’s affair, I certainly won’t sign the share transfer agreement. The shares were left to me by my late mother. If I gave them to Dad now, who knows who he’d use them to support? I made an excuse that my grandparents’ shares also needed to be transferred, so it would take a few more days to process. Dad was overjoyed and agreed immediately. He even transferred me $10,000 as pocket money. You should know, Dad had never transferred more than $1,000 at once before. My monthly allowance was only $300. Most of my other pocket money came from my grandparents. The excuse was: to cultivate my spirit of frugality. Then I remembered the monthly transfers Dad made to Ivy after she started university. It was never less than $1,000 each time. “You’re the heir to Sullivan Corp, you’ve seen the world since you were young.” “Ivy is just a girl, and a scholarship student. She hasn’t seen much of the world.” “If we don’t give her enough money, what if some thug takes advantage of her now that she’s at Starling University?” I thought it made sense at the time. Now, thinking back, it’s laughable. They must have been involved even then. Once the veil is lifted, everything becomes clear. Ivy likes to cook, but 90% of her dishes cater to Dad’s taste. Dad’s favorite fish dish is always placed on his right side. Ivy loves hearing about Dad’s work. She either praises his brilliant decisions or sympathizes with how hard he works, always boosting his ego. Ivy is knowledgeable and likes to chat with me about various topics, but in front of Dad, she always has questions she doesn’t understand. … Ivy has been deliberately seducing Dad. Subtle, silent, unnoticed. If such tactics were used on me, I might not be able to resist either. But while Dad can remarry, he shouldn’t have a mistress. Ivy is clearly after Dad’s money. After packing my things for school, I lay on the couch, pondering how to wake Dad up and set him back on the right path. 0

Taking advantage of Ivy’s absence, I decided to have a heart-to-heart talk with Dad. After explaining the rules of no concealment and no lies, I sat down opposite Dad. The game began with some trivial matters. I seized every opportunity to pour Dad more drinks. Dad can’t hold his liquor well. After two bottles, his face was already flushed with intoxication. I took the chance to ask. “Dad, is there anything big you’re hiding from me? Anything related to relationships!” I emphasized deliberately. Dad gripped his glass, his gaze evasive, his lips opening and closing several times. My heart leaped with hope as I stared intently at Dad’s lips. If he confessed, it would prove that Dad could still be saved. That he wasn’t completely in cahoots with Ivy. Finally, Dad spoke. “Sigh, I do have something I’ve been keeping from you.” I sat up straight, already formulating comforting words in my mind. “All these years, I’ve never really gotten over your mother. I still love her.” “After your mother passed, I’ve been managing the company wholeheartedly, working day and night, pouring my heart and soul into it.” “But it’s been so hard.” “I have few shares, little influence. If I had more shares in my hands, Sullivan Corp would have reached new heights by now.” The words of comfort I had prepared died in my throat. My heart sank with each word Dad uttered. “Dad, we can’t bring back the dead. I hope you can find your own happiness. I would give you my blessing.” Dad shook his head, “I just want to expand and strengthen the business your mother left behind.” “Recently, I’ve set my eyes on a project, but unfortunately, no one else sees its potential.” “If only Dad had a few more shares in hand…” Every sentence, while not directly asking, was clearly aimed at persuading me. Dad lay back on the sofa, his face flushed, but his eyes kept darting towards me. His gaze was clear; Dad was just putting on an act to deceive me. My heart turned cold, but I maintained a smile on my face. “The CEO of Lancaster Corp just remarried, but I know Dad is the most devoted to Mom. I feel at ease entrusting the shares to you.” “However, there’s still a little trouble with Grandpa and Grandma’s side. Dad, you’ll have to wait a bit longer.” 0

Dad wants the shares Mom left me. Ivy wants Dad’s money. The two of them, equally despicable, truly deserve each other as a “match made in heaven”. I lay on my dorm bed, feeling irritated and restless. “Melody.” The dorm door opened. Ivy pulled back my bed curtain and leaned in close, acting intimate. “Do you have any sense of boundaries?” I shifted back, feeling annoyed. Under my dad’s arrangement, Ivy had moved into the same dorm as me. Ivy said this was to make it easier for her to repay the kindness, but I hadn’t seen any gratitude. Instead, she had ended up in bed with my dad. Ivy was taken aback. Then she looked a bit hurt. “Melody, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you were in a bad mood today and easily irritated. I apologize.” With one sentence, she shifted the blame for her lack of boundaries onto my bad temper. Noticing the glances from our other two roommates, I suppressed my anger: “What do you want?” Ivy’s lips curved into a slight smile as she sat down and showed me her phone. It displayed a new necklace from Celestial. “Melody, look, isn’t this beautiful? And it’s limited edition.” “We could buy two, one for you and one for me.” It was indeed beautiful. I glanced at Ivy’s designer outfit. Before I discovered the affair between my dad and Ivy, I would always buy things for Ivy when I shopped for myself. This outfit she was wearing was bought by me. But now, I wasn’t going to be the sucker anymore. “It’s pretty. You can pay for it.” Ivy was stunned: “Melody, I’m a scholarship student, I…” “I know, but Dad gives you at least $1,000 for living expenses every month. Don’t tell me you’ve spent it all?” I feigned surprise, then continued. “I could buy it, even though Dad only gives me $300 a month, but I have some savings.” “But Ivy, all these things you’re wearing now were bought by me. If I pay for everything, it wouldn’t sound good if word got out.” “At best, people might say you’re friends with me for my money. At worst, they might think you have something going on with my dad.” A flash of embarrassed anger crossed Ivy’s face. Tears quickly welled up in her eyes. “Of course not, Melody. I’m genuinely your friend.” “And there’s absolutely nothing unsavory between Mr. Sullivan and me.” Ivy pulled out a DNA test report. It showed no blood relation between Ivy and Dad. My two roommates looked at me accusingly. “Melody Sullivan, I have to say, you’re really thinking the worst of people.” “Only a person with a dirty mind sees everything as dirty.” Ivy was well-prepared, wasn’t she? Well, I initially thought the same and secretly did a DNA test for both of them. Who could have imagined that a top student like Ivy would become my dad’s mistress? Seeing the other two roommates on her side, Ivy wiped her tears pretentiously. “Melody, this Celestial necklace costs $8,888. It’s very expensive for me.” “But we’re good friends. If you like it, I’ll buy it for you even if I have to sell a kidney.” “No need for that, no need,” the two roommates chimed in. I calmly watched Ivy’s act. I agreed with a simple “okay”. Ivy’s expression froze. I didn’t bother with her anymore. I quickly packed some things and drove to my grandmother’s house. I knew I couldn’t figure out a solution on my own. My grandparents have far more life experience than I do. They must have a way to handle this. 0

Ivy took a leave of absence from school, and when she returned, she gave me the necklace. At the same time, rumors about me started circulating around campus. As I went to class, I overheard: “That’s Melody Sullivan. She bullies scholarship students just because she’s rich, even making them buy her necklaces worth nearly $10,000.” “That’s right.” “Remember the entrance exam results? Ivy Greene scored higher than Melody Sullivan.” “Last semester, Melody Sullivan’s grades were better than Ivy Greene’s. Isn’t it obvious she achieved that by suppressing Ivy?” “Hmph, what’s the use of winning in grades if you lose in character? We should stay away from people like her.” I ignored it all. After class, I headed to the library with my books. Ivy was busy seducing my dad; it would be strange if her grades didn’t slip. On the way, Ivy approached me. “Melody, don’t take those people’s words to heart.” “I’ve already clarified to them that I bought it for you voluntarily.” “Rumors are just rumors. Don’t let them bother you.” I laughed coldly inside. Weren’t these rumors spread by Ivy herself? “Mm, okay, I got it,” I replied. Ivy continued to follow me. I knew Ivy must have something to ask me, but she hadn’t figured out how to bring it up yet. Since that was the case, I suddenly stopped. “Ivy, just one necklace isn’t very convincing. If you buy me a few more things, the rumors will naturally die down.” “I recently saw a dress that I like…” “Melody,” Ivy hurriedly interrupted me. “I came to you because I have something to discuss.” “Melody, I remember you like Lucas Graham. I have an idea that can help you win him over.” Lucas Graham is a senior in our major. He mentored me for a while during an activity I participated in. I had also expressed my admiration for him. I don’t know how Ivy concluded that I liked him. I stopped and raised an eyebrow: “Oh?” Seeing my interest, Ivy’s eyes gleamed with pride. “You know, as women, we shouldn’t be too strong.” “Be smart in public, give men enough face, but when facing men directly, we should act a bit naive.” “Being a bit naive makes men’s hearts flutter and brings out their protective instincts. All men fall for this, Lucas Graham is no exception.” “Men focus on their careers, we just need to know how to please them.” “This applies to husbands, and to fathers too.” Ivy was sharing her experience as a mistress with me, acting as if she was bestowing a great favor upon me. Finally, she revealed her true intention. She wanted to help Dad persuade me to quickly transfer the shares to him. I was speechless. This speech was so disgusting that I lost the desire to even rebut it. I turned away from Ivy and went to the library. Just as I arrived at the library, Dad called. Over the past few days, the frequency of Dad’s calls had been increasing. From subtle probing attempts, it had now become outright urging me to hand over the shares. “Melody, if there are still issues with your grandparents, why don’t you transfer your shares first?” I remained silent, thinking of excuses to delay. Dad seemed to have lost his patience. “Melody Sullivan, you weren’t lying to Dad about transferring the shares, were you?” “Ding dong.” A text message popped up on my phone. [Sweet Melody, Grandpa has taken care of everything. Sign with him!] I smiled. “Dad, how could that be?” “The issues with Grandpa and Grandma have been resolved. I’ll come home today to sign the contract.”

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I spent a decade as a specialist in proctology, conducting numerous examinations daily. To be honest, I maintained a professional detachment throughout. One day, a man accompanying a patient exclaimed, “You have no right to examine my child’s condition!” “If you fail to treat her, I’ll hold your entire family accountable!” I gestured towards the door, “The psychiatric clinic is upstairs to the left. Next patient, please!” That remark led to five years of unemployment, two years of begging, and ultimately, I met my end in a street accident. It also caused undue suffering for my mother. When I opened my eyes again, I was back in my office. In front of me stood an impeccably dressed, attractive couple. “I’m sorry, but without an appointment, I can’t see you.” “Director? Director!” I snapped out of it, “Yes, what is it?” “Director, have you been resting well lately? I brought you some hot water.” A cup of hot water appeared on my desk. I looked up and saw it was Leo, my intern from eight years ago. “It’s alright, just a lot of patients recently. I just need a moment.” I surveyed my surroundings. This was my office. Specifically, it was the office I had eight years ago when I was the head of the proctology department at City General Hospital. A bold idea crossed my mind. I pinched myself—ouch, not a dream. I found myself back to where it all began eight years ago. “Shall I call in the next patient?” Leo asked. I nodded. Moments later, the door opened. A striking woman walked in, exuding elegance, her designer attire making her seem unapproachable. A man followed her, his gaze sharp and authoritative. I was taken aback—it was them. The sting in my palm brought me back. I looked down and saw a nail mark in my hand. The woman blushed and shyly introduced herself, “Hello, Doctor, I’m Nora.” Nora was polite enough. The man beside her looked disdainful. “Who do you think you are? You’re not qualified to examine my child’s condition!” The same dialogue, the same scene. I was even more certain I had been given a second chance. Nora tugged at Declan’s sleeve, giving him a playful glance. “Apologies, but as a specialist with ten years of experience at City General Hospital and the current head of the department, I believe I am.” Declan’s expression darkened, his gaze icy, as if contemplating my downfall. He snorted, “If you can’t treat Nora, I’ll make sure your entire family pays!” There it was again. Even in a proctology department, his CEO persona was unyielding. In my previous life, when he said that, I was speechless. Was this guy out of his mind? It’s 2099, and people still mimic lines from decades ago. So I genuinely suggested he see a mental health professional. Declan’s CEO pride was offended, and he used his influence to fabricate medical mishaps, forcing me to resign. Not only that, but he also warned all hospitals not to hire me, leaving me unemployed. Unable to work in a hospital, I tried factories, but Declan blocked all my paths—no business dared hire me. I survived by intermittently setting up stalls and scavenging for recyclables. I drank rainwater and ate discarded cold takeout from trash bins. Snapping back to reality, I flipped through the records. “I’m sorry, but without an appointment, I can’t see you.”###Chapter

CEOs typically have family doctors and private clinics, so they never need to visit public hospitals and wouldn’t know about the appointment system at City General. Moreover, I’m a specialist. You need to book my appointments a day in advance since I only have one duty day a week. My slots are hard to get. “Doctor, I was just called! I went to the bathroom, sorry, sorry!” The office door opened, and the actual patient with an appointment walked in. I glanced at Declan and Nora, “Unrelated individuals, please leave.” Their faces turned various shades of green and red. Nora stood up, embarrassed, dragging Declan out. Just before leaving, Declan glared daggers at me. I returned his gaze, prepared to call security to escort them out for cutting in line, but he quickly looked away. After the checkup, I wrote a prescription. “Take this to the nurse.” “Ding dong” A bell chimed. I looked around, curious about the source. “Host Ethan, hello! I’m the Pain Transfer System 012. Congratulations on getting through Declan’s verbal attack and avoiding further tragedy!” A system? Is this the advantage of my rebirth? “What does the Pain Transfer System mean?” I asked mentally. “As the name suggests, I can help transfer the pain of symptoms. When it activates in you, it means that for every patient you successfully treat, their past pains will transfer to the male lead, Declan.” I nodded. Declan’s in for some serious discomfort. But I quickly caught onto a term—”male lead.” The system said Declan was the male lead. Was my world part of a novel? “Correct, host. You live in the book ‘The CEO’s Sweet Naive Wife,’ where Nora is the female lead, and Declan is the male lead.” The system briefly explained the book’s content. I was amazed. “Due to your death, Declan and Nora’s character settings collapsed, so City Hall gave you a chance to be reborn with a system.” I understood. In simple terms, this rebirth was my chance for revenge. Reflecting on my past life, Declan bore a grudge against me, hiring thugs to cause trouble at the hospital and attributing numerous false medical incidents to me. I worked tirelessly to gather evidence and refute the claims. Even when resolved, the leaders still doubted me. Numerous external exchange projects no longer bore my name. I was excluded from major lectures, and Declan’s people replaced me in positions I worked hard to attain. I thought, as long as I could still work, it was enough. I couldn’t fight a wealthy heir. I apologized! I sincerely sought out Declan to apologize. But he remained aloof, saying simply, “So, who are you?” I thought the matter was over. But soon after settling into work, Declan’s people accused me of stealing hospital drugs and being morally corrupt! I was dismissed, and no hospital dared hire me. I lived in a daze. My parents felt heartbroken, hugging me tightly, saying, “It’s okay! If the sky falls, your parents will hold it up!” But I didn’t expect Declan to spare even my parents! Nora accused my mom of stealing her jewelry. Though evidence was lacking, her status led the police to sentence my mom. Dad went to visit, only to return with a small box. I had never seen Dad so defeated. It was all my fault. If not for me, Mom wouldn’t have died. I cried until I couldn’t speak. Dad gently held me, patting my back. Soon after, I received news of Dad’s death. He had a car accident while driving, dying on the spot. I almost fainted. I put down the pancake I was making and grabbed a taxi straight to the scene. My loving dad stayed forever in that car, covered in blood, unable to hug and comfort me anymore. The car he drove was familiar—the one Declan often rode! Declan again! I yelled, “Isn’t this enough?! After all this, what more do you want? Go to hell! Go to hell! Go to hell!” “Host?”

I blinked, snapping out of my memories. Declan, Nora, so what if you’re the leads? I crawled back from hell, and even if you have a halo, I’ll shatter it and make you swallow it with blood! Our family’s lives will be repaid with yours! City A is teeming with talent. In such a city, becoming a department head at City General Hospital and an honorary professor at A University speaks volumes about my exceptional medical skills. No humility here—I could be called the top proctologist in the country. Business trips and exchanges were common. After finishing today’s duty shift, I immediately requested an exchange from my leader. The leader agreed quickly, as there was a project waiting. For a doctor of my level, exchanges last at least a month. While I’m away, Nora’s illness will drag on, and while I perform surgeries, Declan’s condition will worsen. I acted immediately. After work, I packed my things, dragged my suitcase, and boarded a plane. The system was handy, always updating me. On my first day in City C, after academic exchanges. System: “Nora went to the hospital looking for you, only to find your name missing from the registry.” “Declan must be fuming. His first time lowering himself for a doctor, only to find the doctor isn’t on duty.” I laughed, imagining his face turning black with rage. Leo, whom I left at City General, called me around this time. “Teacher, am I disturbing you?” “Remember that couple from yesterday? The one with CEO lines.” Leo sounded excited, as if something interesting had happened. “Yes, what’s up?” “They caused quite a scene at the hospital today. It was something else!” Leo described it vividly, and I could almost see the scene myself. Declan and Nora had come to the hospital only to find out I was away on a business trip. The top colorectal specialist they wanted to see was out too! For someone like Declan, who is used to getting his way, this was intolerable. He made a scene in the hospital lobby, barking into his phone, “You have three minutes! Get that woman here, or your whole family will pay!” With the hospital packed, his outburst drew everyone’s attention. “Is he out of his mind? No helping him now!” “Hey dude, the psych ward is on the third floor. Need a hand getting there?” a cheerful hospital volunteer chimed in. “Scram! Do you even know who I am?” Well, Declan definitely got the psychiatric department’s attention. I thanked Leo for the update and hung up. I had a surgery scheduled for the afternoon and was already eager to hear about Declan’s hemorrhoid woes.

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My boyfriend, David Huber, was diagnosed with a terminal illness. I worked three jobs to help him, but one day, I accidentally overheard a conversation between him and his doctor. “You’re letting Ella Jefferson and Alyssa Lyons get too close, aren’t you worried she’ll find out you’re faking it? And that you plan to run back to Thalwell and marry Ella?” the doctor asked. David’s voice sounded weak. “Ella’s family went bankrupt. If I don’t marry her, she’ll be sold off as a mistress. But I’ve always loved only Alyssa. “I’ve already proposed to Alyssa,” he continued, “Before I leave, I’ll give her an unforgettable wedding and enough money to live comfortably for the rest of her life. So keep your mouth shut. I’ll handle everything.” I felt a chill run through me. I raised my hand and listed the wedding ring for sale on a secondhand platform. If this marriage was destined to be incomplete and short-lived, then I’d rather not keep it. Their conversation pierced my heart like a needle. I touched the money I had saved up from working, and all the hope I had vanished. Ever since David’s diagnosis, I’d been working triple shifts to raise money for his treatment, only to find out it was all a lie. Thalwell’s heir didn’t need my money. This was just his excuse to leave me. But why not tell me the truth? Why keep this from me? Before I could come to an answer, the nurse came to change David’s bandages. “Ms. Lyons, you’re here to see your boyfriend? He’s looking better lately. I suppose even the heavens don’t want to break up a couple in love,” the nurse remarked. I smiled awkwardly, but bitterness flooded my chest. David had always been so kind to me. Even lying in a hospital bed, he would make little things to cheer me up, telling me more than once, “Alyssa, my illness can’t be cured. You should keep the money for yourself. Don’t waste it on me.” I naively thought he was just trying not to burden me, and worked even harder to save more, hoping I could make him live even one more day. Everyone around us was moved by our love, sighing at the fact that we couldn’t end up together. But who could have guessed? All of this was just an act David put on to leave me. I opened the door for the nurse, only to see a woman lying in the other bed. It was Ella, resting with noise-canceling headphones on. When she saw us, the doctor subtly woke her up. Ella awkwardly took off her headphones, apologizing. “Alyssa, don’t misunderstand. I noticed you weren’t at the hospital last night, so I came to help take care of David. He’s in bad shape, and he needs someone by his side.” Ella had started appearing in David’s social circle a week before his cancer diagnosis. At the time, I thought of David’s friends as my friends, and I treated her like a sister. Now I realized perhaps that was when they had already planned this whole escape. The day before, when David proposed to me, I couldn’t sleep, imagining how our future would be. We’d have a beautiful life together, raise a child full of love… but the next day, David told me he only had one month left to live. My dream was shattered before I even woke up. Ella needed him, and he immediately went to her side. Meanwhile, I had to endure the despair of losing my loved one alone. I fought back tears and smiled awkwardly. “How could I misunderstand? Since you’re here, I’ll go back to work. Please take care of David for me.” I turned to leave, but David grabbed my hand, asking helplessly, “Alyssa, aren’t you staying longer? I really miss you. Don’t you want to make more memories with me?” He looked at me pleadingly. I trembled as I pulled my hand away and gently touched his face. “Don’t say things like that. We still have countless months to be together, right?” David didn’t answer right away. He just kissed my palm over and over. Was he so unwilling to even lie to me?

Ella couldn’t hold back anymore, noticing we were still lingering. She spoke up, “David, don’t you have an appointment for an examination soon? Shouldn’t we get going?” She even winked at the doctor standing nearby. “Oh, right,” David reluctantly pulled away from me, looking impatiently at the doctor. “How come I didn’t know about this?” “Oh, David, you’ve been through so much with your treatments. Don’t worry. I’ll take care of these things for you,” Ella said, affectionately linking her arm with David’s and helping him get up. David was half-dragged, half-assisted by Ella and the doctor toward the door. He turned back one last time, anxiously asking me, “Alyssa, aren’t you coming with me for the check-up?” I wiped my hands discreetly and smiled, reassuring him, “You’re in good hands with Ella and the doctor. I still have some work to finish. I’ll head off now.” As I turned to leave, walking in the opposite direction, the tears I’d been holding back streamed down my face. Years of love had deeply embedded themselves in my heart, and now, it felt like I was digging out pieces of myself, piece by piece. I could hear David struggling behind me, but when I looked back, I saw him quietly letting Ella smooth his hair. I felt rooted to the spot, unable to move. I stood there, torturing myself by watching them laugh together, disappearing from my sight. Was this really all just to help Ella avoid being sold off to another man? Was their relationship really just friendship? The answer seemed clear. David must have spent so much time, energy, and money on that wedding ring for me. When I returned to my rented apartment just three hours later, I noticed that the ring had already attracted a lot of attention. A kind girl told me that the value of the ring was far higher than the five thousand dollars I had listed it for. If I didn’t want to lose too much, I could have it appraised at a high-end jewelry store. I played with the ring, my mind drifting back to the time when David had given it to me. “Alyssa, I made this ring myself. But the stone, I had it set by someone else,” David had said, holding my right hand gently. He carefully ran his fingers over the simple band with the dark green gem on my finger. I remembered what he’d said. “Alyssa, I know you’ve had a hard time with me these years. But I promise you, one day I’ll make sure you live a good life.” His eyes, sparkling like a puppy’s, gazed at me earnestly, making those words seem more believable. The next day, I took the ring to a high-end mall in the city center. Everything in the store was priced so high I could lose everything I owned just by walking in. The staff at the jewelry counter examined the ring. “The stone is really valuable. From the color and quality, I’d say it’s worth around 300 thousand dollars.” I stood by the counter, feeling awkward as I waited for the appraiser. Despite preparing myself, I was still shocked by the price. Three hundred thousand dollars, more than I had earned from three jobs combined. I had the staff remove the stone and sold it to them on the spot, keeping only the plain band. As expected of a high-end store, the money was transferred to my account immediately. As I was preparing to leave, I saw Ella at another counter, browsing jewelry and talking on the phone. “David, you got that 300 thousand dollars stone for Alyssa. How about buying me some jewelry too?” Ella’s voice was sweet and playful. I couldn’t hear David’s reply, but I saw Ella hang up the phone and proceed to buy all the jewelry she had picked out, happily swiping her card. “Got everything, thanks, Mr. Huber,” she cooed as she sent him a voice message, her voice dripping with affection. “All for two million dollars.” I felt a bitterness rise in my chest. When I was with David, spending two hundred dollars at once felt extravagant. Now, Ella was spending two million as if it were nothing. Without thinking, I walked back to the staff and handed them the cash in my pocket. “Can you ask that lady over there if she’d be interested in buying my stone? I think it would suit her.” The staff took the stone over to Ella. She immediately commented, “Oh, can you set this stone into a ring for me? I’ll take it. I’ll come pick it up in a few days.” Ella, the well-mannered young lady, could easily recognize the value of the stone at a glance. I couldn’t help but imagine how David would react when he saw that same stone on Ella’s finger.

After leaving the jewelry store, I impulsively ordered a lot of food. The dishes I usually loved now felt stuck in my throat, hard to swallow. I kept stuffing food into my mouth. The day I first met David, I had just watched my last relative get cremated. I wandered aimlessly down the street, holding the urn when suddenly, a teddy bear blocked my way. “You look so sad. My hugs have magical powers. They can bring you luck. Want to try?” Without thinking, I buried my face in the teddy bear’s chest. Feeling the rhythmic pats on my back, I couldn’t hold back my tears, and I cried out loud. When I finally calmed down, the costume was soaked with my tears. “Such a lovely girl should smile more. It looks better on you.” David took off the headpiece, revealing his handsome face. We exchanged contact details, and over time, our feelings grew uncontrollably strong. “Alyssa, the moment I saw you in that teddy bear costume, I couldn’t take my eyes off you,” David said, his face and ears turning bright red, yet he stared at me intently. “I like you! Will you give me a chance to be your future support?” Years later, he truly kept his promise. But it didn’t change the fact that in his heart, Ella might have always come before me. Memories rushed back, and tears poured from my eyes. “Do you want a hug? Mom and Dad always say that hugging me makes them feel full of strength!” A little girl in overalls was trying to stand on her tiptoes, using her chubby little hand to wipe away my tears. I choked, my tears flowing harder. “Yes, I need it.” The child in my arms patted my back, just like the teddy bear did back then. Yeah, no one was irreplaceable, and no one must depend on anyone else. I should be my own future support. In the days that followed, we were both busy. David was making calls to arrange our wedding, while Ella was updating David’s situation on Instagram every day. [David ate only a little today.] But in the picture, David didn’t look thin at all. A hand with bright red nails was feeding him soup. And I, with only a few belongings, set off on my journey alone. While David was drafting the invitations, I was at the beach, enjoying the sun and replying to his messages. [I don’t know which invitation style to choose. Ask Ella.] Ella was a great excuse. Whenever David asked me something, I just said: [Ask Ella’s opinion,] and he’d reply with clingy lines like: [Alyssa, I love you,] and [Alyssa, I’m looking forward to that day] before logging off to find Ella. I was looking forward to it too because I couldn’t wait either. On the wedding day, David still didn’t forget to apply some foundation to look more like a sick patient. He eagerly prepared everything, from the high-end wedding dress shipped from abroad to the smallest details like what kind of side dishes to have, everything was carefully planned by him. But when the day arrived, the bride couldn’t be found. The makeup artist and the wedding procession returned empty-handed from our rented apartment. “Mr. Huber, the landlord said Ms. Lyons moved out half a month ago.” David refused to give up, calling me again and again, but each time, no one answered. “Has anyone reached Alyssa yet? Aiden, check her itinerary. I need to know where she went!” He anxiously searched for any news about me while also making arrangements for the guests who had been waiting for a long time. Soon, his assistant, Aiden Malone, found my whereabouts. “Mr. Huber, Ms. Lyons left half a month ago. She’s been changing cities every couple of days. I guess… she’s traveling.” David quickly grabbed the tablet to check my booking information, muttering to himself, “How is this possible? Alyssa can’t just leave me. She accepted my proposal. She promised me…” Just then, Ella walked up to David in a form-fitting mermaid dress, gently comforting him, “Maybe Alyssa doesn’t want to see her lover leave, David. Don’t be too sad.” It was at that moment that David noticed the gem on Ella’s hand. He let the tablet drop, grabbed Ella’s right hand tightly, and glared at her with barely controlled rage in his tone. “Why is this gem on your hand?!”

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During the extreme heatwave, I delivered a substantial amount of precious supplies to my beloved fiancé. He claimed that his mom thought I was stingy and cheap. Both of them even had the audacity to come to my house and take over. Later, I discovered that my fiancé was the mastermind behind all the deceit. He not only sold the water and food his mom had given me at exorbitant prices but also handed my supplies to the other woman. He even locked his mom and me out, hoping the sun would bake us. But he forgot, neither his mom nor I are easily defeated. If he likes the other woman so much, they might as well bake together on the streets, clinging to each other, never to part. “Declan, did you get the supplies?” I sat in the shade of my house, sipping the precious water. The TV was showing news of heat-related deaths. I sighed, turned off the TV, and continued, “I spent quite a bit of money and resources to have them delivered…” Before I could finish, Declan interrupted impatiently. “My mom says you’re too stingy!” “How is this little bit of water enough for anyone?” This little bit of water? Does his mom realize how scarce water is now? I suppressed my irritation, screwed the cap back on, and carefully placed it in a cool spot. “Do you know how tight water is right now? If your mom doesn’t want it, she shouldn’t drink it!” “If they don’t want it, give it back, I’ll drink it myself!” At this point, Declan seemed to change his tune and quickly explained. “Babe, my mom might dislike you, but I don’t. You did stock up a lot of supplies before… How about sending a bit more over?” I looked at the storage room filled with water and food. I wasn’t short on supplies, but giving them to Declan was okay, giving them to his mom was not. I always thought his mom was a two-faced deceiver. Before the temperatures rose, his mom promised me five gifts and a $10,000 dowry. But what I got were three gifts, and the dowry never appeared. Yet, in front of me, she acted all polite. Whenever I went to their house, she prepared a table full of food and praised me for being a pretty girl. Even at the beginning of this ordeal, she kept thinking of me, telling me to take care of myself. She sure put on a good act, but now her true colors are showing. “Finish what you have first, then we’ll talk.” I hung up and walked to the window. Carefully, I pulled the curtain to peek outside. There wasn’t a soul on the street, just some bodies dried by the sun. Anyone going out at noon would either be dehydrated to fainting or be peeled like an onion by the sun. I quickly shut the curtain and lay back on my bed. My mother-in-law messaged me on SnapChat. “Rosalie, how have you been lately?” “Do you have enough to eat and drink? If not, I’ll have someone bring some over tonight?” I assumed she was being sarcastic, so I replied, “Sure, I’m about to die of thirst at home.” “Unlike you, who still have water to drink!” She immediately called, sounding genuinely worried. “Rosalie, are you okay? If you need anything, I can bring some supplies tonight.” “Sure.” I casually picked at my nails. She’s just saying that. Everyone knows she’s just pretending. But I didn’t expect that night she actually came with a bunch of stuff. Declan followed her, wearing his usual sour face. “I told you not to come. Do you want people to sleep or not?”

My mother-in-law gave me a helpless smile and then placed the bags in the living room. Even at one in the morning, both she and Declan were drenched in sweat. I handed a tissue to Declan to wipe his sweat, but my mother-in-law pulled him toward the door. “Rosalie, don’t be stingy with yourself. If you run out, I’ll find a way to bring more.” Then she urged Declan to go home. “Come on, it’ll be hard to travel once the sun’s out.” Declan stared at the slightly open storage room door. Then, with a smile, he pushed his mother’s hand away. “Mom, I’m staying. I want to spend more time with Rosalie.” I was surprised by Declan’s initiative. I was usually the one begging him to stay. His mother looked troubled. “But I can’t drive…” Awkwardly, she took the car keys Declan handed her, standing helplessly by the door. “Fine, stay here tonight.” I pointed to the guest room, “You can use this room.” His mother immediately agreed, “Thank you for the trouble.” I didn’t want to deal with her, so I waved her off and wrapped my arm around Declan’s as we walked to the bedroom. Since I was in a good mood, I decided not to fuss with her today. Declan held me, dreaming of life after the heatwave, assuring me he only loved me. His phone kept buzzing, so he reluctantly let go to reply to messages. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw he was texting a girl I didn’t recognize. “Who is she?” Declan quickly shut his phone. “I don’t know her.” He brushed it off. I still felt uneasy because I saw the word “baby.” Declan, seeing my disbelief, kissed my lips and swore nothing was going on. But I underestimated him and overestimated my own intelligence. The night passed, and it was another unbearably hot morning. Sweat soaked my pillow and sheets. I woke up to my mother-in-law knocking on my door. Groggy, I sat up and noticed Declan was gone. I opened the door, and she asked, “Rosalie, do you know where Declan went?” “I heard the door early in the morning, and even the car keys are gone…” Worried, I tried calling him, but his phone was off. “The sun’s so strong now; what if something happens to him…” I feared something had happened to Declan. But what on earth was he doing outside? Before I could think further, messages popped up in the residents’ group chat. “Such a good person! Now, water and food are worth a fortune, and someone’s willing to sell to us!” Attached was a picture of supplies. Everyone was begging for the contact details. “No rush, he’s on our floor. If you need anything, just wait; he’ll sell it to you.” Risking life for money, huh? I rolled my eyes but found the supplies in the picture oddly familiar. Evian water, Ferrero, and red-boxed eggs… They looked a lot like my stockpile.

I rushed to the storage room and opened the door. The neatly arranged food and water were now a mess. The supplies meant to last me through the summer were mostly gone. Declan had taken my supplies to make money? I stood there, stunned. I didn’t know how to face him. I had agreed yesterday that what’s mine is his. But I didn’t think he’d be so shameless. My mother-in-law knocked, pulling me back to reality. “Sorry to disturb you, but you have so much food and water…” I frowned and snapped, “Don’t get any ideas!” “That’s not what I meant!” She waved her hands, “I have plenty myself.” “I’ve just noticed Declan acting suspiciously lately, so I didn’t tell him.” I reflexively defended Declan, “Don’t talk about him like that!” Then I locked the storage room door with the key. Declan and I had been together since college. Other than his bad temper, I thought he had no faults. My mother-in-law opened her mouth, then closed it. Eventually, she asked, “So why did you send back some of the supplies I gave you yesterday?” “Bullshit! Besides last night, when did you send me anything?” I snapped. “Are you losing your mind, old lady? I sent you stuff the day before yesterday!” I rolled my eyes at her fake politeness. My mother-in-law, seeing my disbelief, showed me her SnapChat conversation with the delivery person, from booking to departure. It didn’t look fake. “The delivery guy almost left with the goods, but Declan stopped him. He said he missed you and wanted to deliver them himself.” “Shortly after, we received your supplies.” I clenched my fists, staring at her. “If you were so kind, why didn’t you send all five gifts?” Now it was her turn to be shocked. “I gave everything to Declan! Including your ten thousand!” “I know you don’t like me, so I thought I’d let him give it to you… He didn’t?” She showed me the purchase receipt and transfer details. It was all true. I deflated like a punctured balloon, slumping onto the couch, unwilling to accept it. Before I could process it, someone banged on the door. “Screw you! You’ve got supplies and sell them at high prices?” “If you’ve got good stuff, share it! Robbery is what this is!” The stranger pounded so hard it seemed they wanted to break the door. My mother-in-law and I jumped to our feet, startled, and looked towards the door. Then Declan’s voice came through. “Hey, buddy, take it easy. How about I sell you a bottle at a discount?” “I charge others five hundred bucks, but I’ll let you have it for three hundred a bottle, okay? I’ve only got two left, you…” “You’re asking for it!” The sound of fists hitting flesh followed. Just hearing it made me wince. “Help! Mom! Phoebe! Open the door and save me!”

Declan was pounding on the door, trying to dodge the man’s attacks. I was about to open it, but my mother-in-law shook her head, signaling me not to get involved. But the noise outside grew louder, and even Declan went silent. Terrified, I finally opened the door. My mother-in-law and I peeked outside to see what was happening. “Damn! None of you are worth a damn!” The man was huge and yanked me out the door with one pull. A wave of heat hit me, making me feel like I might faint. My mother-in-law quickly followed. “Boom!” We all turned to look at the door. Only to see Declan, who had been lying on the ground, back inside. With a “click,” he locked the door. The man was dizzy but sneered, “Is that what you call a man?” My mother-in-law wiped her sweat and banged forcefully on the door. “Declan, are you crazy? Open the door and let us in!” “Declan! Declan!” Despite the heat, my heart felt cold. “I don’t hit women,” the man said dismissively. He let go of me, picked up the two bottles of water from the ground, and went upstairs. The unbearable heat, combined with the exertion, made the burly man collapse. But he still held onto those precious bottles of life-saving water. “Declan, open the door! Do you want us to die here?” Sweat dripped from my mother-in-law onto the ground. Her breathing was already unsteady. I held her, telling her to stop banging on the door. “He won’t open it.” I felt strangely calm. “I see it now; he’s just a money-loving scumbag.” “So we need to conserve our energy. If we don’t, we’ll surely die from the heat in less than two hours.” My mother-in-law nodded, sitting down to catch her breath. My eyes stung, but I couldn’t cry. The man on the stairs lay motionless; he was probably dead. And as the sun moved west, more sunlight filled our hallway. Heat radiated from my body, my lips cracked, and I had no strength to stand. Thirsty… so thirsty… My mother-in-law had closed her eyes. I patted her, telling her not to sleep. I crawled over to the man to avoid the sunlight. He was dead, lying in a pool of water. I felt like crying, but my hand kept moving to grab the water. “I’m sorry…” I clutched the two bottles of water tightly and hurried back to my mother-in-law, letting her drink. We each had a bottle, gulping down the water like addicts. We drank every drop, yet the scorching weather still left us parched and dry. My eyelids grew heavier, and I was about to drift off when the door opened. “Come in!”

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The day my family declared bankruptcy, my fiancée turned around to marry her long-lost love. I said nothing and instead married Daphne, who had confessed her love to me and helped me out during a crisis. For seven years after our marriage, I cared for her paralyzed legs. Then, on the day she stood up, I accidentally overheard her speaking in French with her best friend. “Daphne, are you really planning to stay with him forever? What if your dear brother is heartbroken again?” Daphne peeled a shrimp for her daughter and replied calmly. “Of course not! My brother is my brother, and he is him. I could never bear to see my brother sad.” “I love Uncle just like Mom does, and I can’t stand ugly Daddy,” chimed in our daughter in French. Little did they know, I understand French. I no longer want to endure this half-hearted charade for the rest of my life. Daphne stroked her daughter’s forehead, visibly pleased, and praised her instinctively in French. “Sweetie, you’ve been such a good girl. Mommy and Uncle have not loved you in vain.” “When you’re a little older, Mommy and Uncle will give you a pretty little sister so you’ll have company at school.” Lily clapped her hands excitedly and responded in broken French. “Yay, that’s awesome.” “I love Uncle and Mommy the most, and I also like the pretty sister Mommy will have.” “It would be so much better if we didn’t have that mean Daddy at home. I don’t like him at all; he annoys me.” Hearing this, I was stunned, unable to believe my ears. Maybe she noticed my gaze on them, as Daphne smiled and placed a piece of bitter melon on my plate, her voice gentle. “Honey, what’s wrong?” I shook my head, my heart aching unbearably, with a suffocating feeling spreading throughout my body. Daphne might have forgotten that I was the first in this family to learn French. She also forgot that I never eat bitter melon. I put on a stern face. Seeing my silence, Daphne immediately became nervous and unsure, carefully holding my hand. “Honey, why do you suddenly look so upset?” I avoided her touch, forcing a smile. “Nothing, just surprised you forgot I don’t like bitter melon,” I said, pretending to be playful. “By the way, what were you talking about earlier? Were you speaking French?” Daphne’s expression stiffened, guilt making her avoid my gaze. “Nothing much, just Evan being jealous of our relationship.” She came up with a random excuse before shifting focus with a guilty look. “I’m sorry, honey, I forgot. I’ll remember next time, and I promise never to give you bitter melon again.” “My best, best, best husband, in this lifetime you can only experience sweetness, not bitterness.” She coaxed softly while picking out the bitter melon for me. Our daughter rolled her eyes at me and scoffed, “Hmph, so picky, eating it won’t kill you.” “You’re such a big person, yet you’re picky, it’s embarrassing.” Just a moment ago, Daphne was so gentle, but now she turned cold and scolded sharply. “Lily, how are you speaking to your father! Apologize now!” The daughter reluctantly stuck out her tongue, stubbornly muttering an apology. Even Daphne’s friend couldn’t stand it and made a couple of complaints. “Alright, we know you two have a good relationship, no need to show off, why scold the kid?” Daphne shot her a proud glare. “Hmph, you’re just jealous I have such a handsome and understanding husband. I’ll show off, I’m proud to have him, I’d boast eight hundred times a day if I could.” I put down my chopsticks, looking at Daphne indifferently. She acted as if she loved me deeply, and seeing me watching her, she instantly served a bowl of soup, blew on it, and brought it to my lips. “Honey, want some soup?” “Honey, these seven years you’ve worked hard, taking care of me and the child.” “Honey, now that I can walk again, rest assured in the days ahead, I’ll devote my life to loving you.” If I’d heard these words before, I’d have been moved to tears. But now, all that’s left in my heart is unspeakable pain and irony. She disguised it perfectly, and I almost believed that the French conversation was just my imagination.

Before I could speak, her friend glanced at her phone, then urged in French again. “Daphne, stop dawdling, your dear brother is calling you in the group chat. Don’t keep him waiting on such an important day.” Daphne froze, set the soup bowl down, and planted a kiss on my lips, looking a bit troubled. “Honey, let the nanny clean up these dishes, and you get to bed early, okay?” “A few friends are inviting me out, please, honey, give me permission.” Seeing her like this, I couldn’t help but chuckle. “Sure, go ahead.” “But you better not do anything to betray me.” “If I find out, I’ll leave you without hesitation.” She froze, panic and unease flashing in her eyes. But with her phone ringing constantly, she eventually chose to pick it up and put on her coat. Walking out, she still tried to coax me earnestly. “Honey, don’t worry. I’ll always be yours, in life and death.” “My husband’s place is yours alone.” “Lily, listen to your dad at home, don’t upset him, or I’ll deal with you when I get back!” Only after that door completely separated us did I come to my senses, letting out a long sigh, my eyes growing warm. Our daughter glared at me disdainfully again, cursing me with French she thought I didn’t understand. “Ugly monster, a grown man crying, no wonder Mommy doesn’t like you.” “What a loser.” I laughed self-deprecatingly and wiped away a tear from the corner of my eye. I know I should let go, but I just can’t. Seven years of feelings, even cold stones should have warmed by now. I’m just unwilling for myself. Our daughter is six years old this year. Since birth, she hasn’t left me for a day. I’ve given all my love to them. For seven years, I’ve been a husband and a father, but never myself. But like her mom, she’s forgotten that I taught her French. For three days straight, Daphne didn’t come home. But she texted daily, gently reporting her whereabouts, saying her legs had recovered and she was a bit wild. I quietly watched, silently packing up, planning to leave. On the seventh day after Daphne hadn’t been home, I found the agreement in the email trash, clicked the link, and carefully signed my name. I’d taken 99 steps toward them; this last step, I want to walk toward my own life. I had just bought a ticket for three days later and was about to turn off my phone when I saw our daughter, who hadn’t spoken to me for seven days, glaring at me with a stern face. I didn’t embrace her like before, just calmly got up and left. She got angry, storming past me, cursing in the French I taught her. “Ugly monster, always bothering my mom.” “Who are you scaring with a lousy ticket? If you’re brave, really leave our home.”

I thought I’d feel heartache from her sarcasm again, but I was incredibly calm. Watching her run upstairs, I spoke in French. “Alright, I will leave.” As soon as those words fell, her tiny figure whipped around, her face frozen in shock as if she’d seen a ghost. She hurriedly tapped her smartwatch to send a message to her mom in French. “Mom, Mom, it’s bad, this old man understands French.” Within seconds, a voice message came back. It was Evan, clearly dismissive, “Lily, what nonsense are you spouting! Your dad’s been bankrupt for years, how could he have had a chance to learn French?” “Behave yourself, don’t disturb your mom and me these days.” “I’ll bring you some treats next time.” Lily scrutinized me with a tense little face, and seeing I had no reaction, she tossed aside what I’d said and happily replied. “Okay, Uncle, have fun with Mommy.” “Hope you two have a pretty sister for me soon.” These days I keep thinking about my past with Daphne, and after thinking, I force myself to forget. Lily’s room was filled with the sounds of video games, and I didn’t confiscate her console or urge her to sleep early as I used to. Nor did I remind her to do her homework, which the teacher would check tomorrow. Since she hates me so much, I might as well not be her dad. But I thought for days and couldn’t figure out why Daphne’s acting skill was so perfect. At two in the morning, I received another taunting message from Evan. “Declan, my sister’s been bugging me these days, she’s really greedy, aren’t you up for it?” “She also said you don’t interest her at all.” Along with the message was a photo. Daphne stood in front of him, his large hands ambiguously slipping into her collar, eyes filled with unmistakable desire. I self-destructively looked at it countless times, my heart feeling like it was being squeezed to burst, an indescribable pain. At 2 AM, I was hit with another taunting message from Logan Parker. “Declan Harris, my sister’s been driving me crazy lately. She’s so insatiable, are you really not up for it?” “She even said you don’t interest her in the slightest.” Attached to the message was a photo. Daphne was standing in front of him, his large hands suggestively slipping into her collar, his eyes filled with an undeniable lust. I compulsively watched it over and over, feeling as if my heart was being squeezed to the point of bursting, a pain beyond words. Gazing at the bleak moonlight outside, I recalled the time the Harris family went bankrupt. My fiancée abandoned me, and I was left with nothing. Then Daphne appeared by my side like a savior, helping me pay off debts, aiding my comeback. Back then, I truly believed that she, with her paralyzed legs, was my salvation. For seven years, she showered me with affection. People called her a husband-loving fanatic, loving me to the core. I thought so, too, and I let go of my pride, caring for her, cooking for her for seven whole years. But the truth was, she professed her love for me while being tangled with her non-blood-related brother. Even worse, it was only recently that I discovered she had been hiding countless encounters over these seven years, giving all her true affection to Logan Parker.

I spent a day burning every trace of myself, clothes, photos, leaving nothing behind. My flight is tomorrow. By then, they will no longer have anything to do with me. Daphne still hadn’t returned, but from Logan’s taunts, I knew she was busy. Really busy, exploring all sorts of positions with him. As for Dahlia, she treated me like I was invisible. One last time, I fulfilled my role as a father, cooking a meal she loved. But when she came back from school, she just snorted and ordered takeout, refusing to say a word to me. I watched the meal go cold as the night deepened. In a daze, I heard faint movements at the door. By the moonlight, I saw Daphne finally willing to come home with her beloved. Daphne’s cheeks were flushed as she straddled Logan’s waist, seeking kisses, her delicate hands teasing provocatively downward. Logan, with one hand pressing her head, deepened the kiss dominantly, while the other securely supported her hips. They entered in a hurry, kissing passionately, undressing. In between breaths, Daphne whispered. “Brother, don’t wake my brother-in-law.” Logan jealously bit her earlobe, his voice full of grievance. “Good sister, didn’t you say I was your favorite?” “Didn’t you say doing it at home with Declan watching was more thrilling?” “Didn’t you say Declan was just a tool to protect our love?” “Why do you make me call him brother-in-law?” Seeing Logan sad, Daphne felt heartbroken, lovingly kissing him while soothing him gently. “Brother, isn’t it more exciting this way?” Their amorous sighs grew louder, tearing open the wounds in my already bleeding heart. Curled on the couch, the nauseating smell made my heart feel dead. I don’t know how long it was before the two, moving from the kitchen to the living room, noticed my presence. Daphne’s breath quickened. She covered Logan’s mouth, stifling the lust in her eyes. They went upstairs, clinging to each other. In the silent night, only her suppressed warning remained. “Brother, don’t mess around, if Declan finds out, he’ll definitely go down fighting.” “He’s still Dahlia’s dad; we can’t make it too ugly.” … I don’t know how long it took, but Daphne came downstairs, cautiously covering me with a blanket. The scent of their dalliance still clung to her, and her open collar showed dense kiss marks. I rigidly pushed her hand away, and she sensed something was wrong. “Honey, what’s wrong? Are you mad because I haven’t been home to keep you company?” I shook my head bitterly. “No.” “Daphne, I dreamt you cheated.” She froze, panic in her eyes as she looked at me. “Honey, what nonsense are you talking? I swear, you’ll be my only husband in this life!” At that moment, I was too disgusted to speak, stubbornly turning my head, curling up in bed, exhausted. “I’m a bit tired. I’m going to sleep now.” I turned away, not wanting to see her anymore.

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At the press conference, David Blackwell, my husband, was about to announce his love for someone else when Ella Carter, the new assistant, suddenly stepped onto the stage holding a little girl. “Sweetie, Daddy’s calling you up here!” she said. The crowd instantly erupted in excitement, bombarding David with questions about his new romance. David didn’t deny it. Instead, he affectionately pulled the little girl into his arms and even put on the company’s newest, multi-million-dollar jewelry collection for her. “Yes, we have a child,” he confirmed. Seeing me, Victoria Hayes, standing frozen, the reporters were only too eager to stir the pot. “Ms. Hayes, you’ve been with Mr. Blackwell for so long. On such an important day, shouldn’t you say something?” I smiled faintly, then tossed the jewelry design I’d worked a year on to the new assistant. “Good things come in pairs,” I said. “Consider this the gift for your daughter.” When I gave the designs to Ella Carter, everyone paused for a moment before bursting into laughter. “Only Ms. Hayes could be so generous with something so valuable. These designs were your entire year’s work!” “Ms. Hayes, you spoil Mr. Blackwell’s daughter so much. Why not just be her godmother?” Ella, hearing this, tilted her chin up and shot me a smug look. David, on the other hand, clenched his jaw, his deep, cold eyes fixed on me. Seeing him so uncomfortable only amused me. We’d been married for ten years. Yet, he’d always avoided officially announcing our marriage, using the company’s interests as an excuse. He never drove me to or from work, leaving me to take the bus every day. At the office, he kept a strict line between us, refusing to let me call him honey. I was only allowed to address him as Mr. Blackwell. I never complained, quietly staying in this hidden marriage for a decade, supporting him as we built the company from the ground up. It wasn’t until yesterday, when I won the design competition with my new jewelry line worth millions, bringing in numerous partnerships for the company, that he finally agreed to officially announce me as his wife at today’s press conference. I couldn’t believe it. After all these years, he was finally going to recognize me publicly. I’d stayed up all night out of excitement. The next day, I woke up early to get ready. I even spent half a year’s salary on a new dress, hoping to look perfect beside David. But in the end, the woman standing next to him wasn’t me. I was the punchline of the joke. If this had happened before, I would’ve been furious, screaming at him. But now, I just stood there, calmly watching the family of three on stage. “Wishing you all a lifetime of happiness,” I said, my voice steady. David’s eyes turned icy. He opened his mouth and was about to say something when he was interrupted by the little girl’s crying. Ella tugged at David’s sleeve. “David, I think Hannah’s scared and crying…” At her words, David shot me a cold glance and spat, “Look at what you’ve done.” He waved his hand dismissively, shoving me aside as he scooped up Hannah and took Ella’s hand, leaving the stage without looking back. The push threw me off balance. My high heels twisted, and I fell hard, my head hitting the champagne tower. The glasses shattered on me, the cold champagne soaking my dress, and a sharp pain ran through my back. Yet David didn’t even glance back. Watching his indifferent back, I couldn’t help but feel a bitter sense of irony. He was kinder to a stranger than to his wife and daughter. Hannah Carter was only crying from being startled, and David was clearly rattled. But when our own daughter had a high fever, delirious and on the brink of death, he did nothing. Once upon a time, David and I had a five-year-old daughter. That year, while I was away on business, I asked David to take care of her since she had a high fever. He promised he would. But instead of staying with her, he went out for business meetings, leaving our daughter alone at home, burning with fever for hours. By the time I rushed back, it was too late. She had passed away. We fought terribly that day. Later, he knelt in front of me, crying and apologizing. I softened because of our shared history, and I forgave him. I was foolish back then, but not anymore. I turned around and left the venue, not like before when I stayed behind to let David clean up the mess. After leaving the venue, I took a taxi home, planning to disinfect and bandage my wounds with iodine and gauze. As soon as I walked in, I saw Ella and Hannah sitting on the couch, laughing. Hannah was holding my daughter’s favorite teddy bear. When Ella saw me, she smiled. “Victoria, you’re back! Hannah said she wanted to come see your place, so David brought us here. He even told us to treat it like our own home!” She then pulled out a set of design blueprints and started playing with them in front of me, clearly showing off. “I heard these are your precious blueprints, and the necklace Hannah’s wearing is the one you designed for your daughter, right? “I only brought it up, and David just handed everything over to us. “Victoria, if you know what’s good for you, just leave already! Don’t wait until you get dumped and end up embarrassed!” Before, I would have been furious at her provocation. But now, I just gave her a cold glance and turned to head upstairs. I was in a hurry to clean my wound and had no time for her petty games. But Ella blocked my path. The next moment, she ripped the necklace off Hannah’s neck and slapped her across the face. Hannah’s face turned red, and she burst into tears as she was scared out of her mind. Ella held Hannah in her arms and deliberately shouted. “Victoria, I know you’re angry with me because of the press conference. If you have a problem, come at me! But Hannah’s just a child!” I almost wanted to laugh. This was one of her usual tricks. Before I could react, David rushed over. His face darkened when he saw Hannah’s swollen face, and he slapped me across the cheek. “Victoria, you’ve gone too far! How could you hurt an innocent child? “Hannah is Ella’s niece! They were just joking around earlier, trying to lighten the mood. Why do you have to make such a big deal out of it?” Pathetic acting, but David bought it. If this had happened before, I would have been furious and jealous of how biased he was toward Ella. But now, I felt nothing, just calm and not a trace of sadness. I picked up the necklace from the floor, handed it back to Ella, and smiled faintly. “You were just trying to lighten the mood, and I should be grateful, not angry. How could I possibly hold it against you? “To show my appreciation, I even booked a five-star restaurant for us.” I pulled out my phone and showed them the reservation. This was the restaurant I had originally booked to celebrate after announcing things with David, but now there was no need. Seeing that I wasn’t lying, David went silent for a moment, then awkwardly said, “I’ll transfer you the money for the meal.” I waved my hand, refusing his offer. David’s tone softened a bit. “Victoria, you’ve really changed. Don’t worry. I’ll make it up to you after we announce everything.” But he didn’t realize that when a woman suddenly became more understanding, it was not because she was weaker. It was because she no longer loved him. This time, I was determined to be the one who walked away first.

After that, David took Ella and Hannah to the restaurant. I went upstairs to treat my wounds. When I took off my high heels, my ankles were swollen and red. My heels were covered in blisters, some of which had burst and were oozing blood. When the iodine touched the wounds, I couldn’t help but suck in a breath. It really hurt. I never liked high heels, but David did, especially watching me wear them. Over the years, I forced myself to wear them just to please him. Even though my feet were constantly bleeding, I endured it willingly. Looking back now, I realize how foolish I was. After treating my wounds, I slipped on some comfortable slippers and threw the high heels into the trash. Compared to the painful high heels, I much preferred the comfort of slippers. This time, I wasn’t going to cater to anyone. I wanted to live for myself. With that thought in mind, I quickly took out my phone and sent a message to a major company that had been showing interest in me. I wrote: [I’ve agreed to the collaboration.] The reply came instantly: [Victoria, you’ve finally made up your mind. Set the reporting date. We’ll be ready whenever you are.] This big company was the leading enterprise in Larkhaven, and their CEO had always been impressed by my business skills and design ability. He often extended offers to me, and their salary and benefits were very attractive. But I turned them all down. It was because David needed me. Most of the company’s operations depended on me, and all their new products relied on my design blueprints. I gave up my future, willingly staying by David’s side, working like a dog for him. But once the company grew stronger, he kicked me to the curb without a second thought. It was then that I realized that true feelings didn’t always get reciprocated. When it came to the matter with my daughter, I forgave him because of what he had once done for me. But this time, I didn’t owe him anything. We were completely done. Thinking of this, I replied to the company: [I’ll report tomorrow.] With that, I bought the earliest flight for tomorrow and began packing my bags. As I was packing, I realized I couldn’t even fill a suitcase with my things. The closet was full of David’s suits and ties, while my clothes consisted of a few faded and worn-out skirts. The only thing of value was the gold bracelet he had given me. Although it was an old style from more than a decade ago, I treasured it. It was a gift from David, bought with his first earnings. Back then, in his twenties, he smiled brightly as he put the bracelet on me, promising he would love me forever and saying that one day, when he had money, he would buy me a whole collection of jewelry. But once he did have money, he never bought me anything nice again. On our seventh anniversary, I couldn’t help but ask him for a set of jewelry. He got angry, scolding me for being wasteful and not understanding how hard he worked to make money. After that, to correct my spending habits, he set a strict budget for me. Any expense over two hundred dollars had to be approved by the finance department. The man I once loved suddenly became a stranger. When did everything change? Maybe it was when Ella appeared. Once Ella showed up, David’s heart quietly drifted away. He restricted every penny I spent down to the cent. But when it came to Ella, he was generous. When Ella said, “I want this,” he didn’t hesitate to buy her a diamond necklace worth millions. He was always very clear about the boundaries between us, never allowing me to interact with him too much at the office. But with Ella, he let her casually call him David. Not only that, he even took Ella out to eat and watch movies during work hours… As I was thinking, the bracelet slipped from my hand and fell to the floor. I picked it up and saw that the surface was scratched, revealing black marks inside. The bracelet was fake. I couldn’t help but laugh. This relationship was a mistake from the start, yet I foolishly held on for all these years! At least now, it wasn’t too late to wake up. I threw the bracelet into the trash and cut up all the photos I had with David. Just then, my phone rang. It was an Instagram update from Ella. In the photo, David was holding Hannah, allowing her oil-covered hands to rub all over his expensive suit while looking at her with doting eyes. Ella was leaning against him, smiling as she fed him a steak covered in her saliva, and he ate it without a hint of disgust. It was so ironic. He had always been a clean freak. Once, when our daughter had made him coffee and accidentally spilled it on his leather shoes, he yelled at her for an hour and locked her in the basement all day, not letting her eat or drink anything. That was when her health started to decline, making her weak and prone to illness. And when I once mistakenly drank from his cup, he smashed it in front of me, glaring at me with disgust. “How disgusting!” But he only had a problem with our hygiene. He found both my daughter and me disgusting. I let out a cold laugh and gave a like. That only made my resolve to leave stronger, so I quickened my pace. Once I finished, I went to bed and went to sleep. I hadn’t been asleep long when I was woken up by a knock on the door. I didn’t even have to guess. It was David. David hated the trouble of entering the passcode, so he had gotten into the habit of asking me to open the door for him. Before, he never even needed to knock. All he had to do was shout, and I would run to open the door for him. But now, I just turned over and continued sleeping. I was just about to drift into sleep when, the next second, David angrily kicked the door open, flipped the light on with a loud snap, and shouted, “Victoria, are you deaf? You’re clearly awake, why didn’t you get up to open the door for me!”

The sudden burst of light snapped me awake. I had been sleeping so deeply that I hadn’t heard the knock at all. Seeing David’s dark expression, I was a little surprised. Did he actually come back this time? Every time he went on a date with Ella, he would always make up an excuse to stay at her place. Either he’d say Ella was scared of thunder and couldn’t sleep alone or that she was just a young girl who needed him to look after her for safety. But once, when our five-year-old daughter said she was scared of the dark and wanted David to come back to keep her company, he’d said she was being melodramatic. He claimed it was good for her to face her fears and, when I wasn’t paying attention, locked her in a small, dark room, giving her a fear of enclosed spaces. Back then, I used to feel so upset about David’s bias and double standards, and I would get into huge arguments with him. But now, no matter what he did, I didn’t care anymore. I gave a faint “Hmm,” pulled the blanket over my head, and went back to sleep. David froze for a moment, then furrowed his brows in displeasure. “Don’t play around. I’m really tired. Get up and run a bath for me. And wash my clothes too.” He tossed his jacket at me. The collar was covered with lipstick stains and smelled strongly of Ella’s perfume. It was disgusting. If this had been before, I wouldn’t have needed him to say anything. I would’ve eagerly gotten up to serve him. But now, he just seemed like a nuisance. I tossed the jacket back at him. “You’re not disabled, you can wash it yourself.” David was stunned for a second, then pulled a gift box out of his pocket and threw it at me. “I know you’re upset about what happened today, so here, this is for you.” Inside was a pair of silver earrings. But he forgot that I was allergic to silver, and I didn’t even have ear piercings. What was even more ridiculous was that these earrings were things Ella had discarded. I had seen them on her Instagram before. I let out a cold laugh and tossed the earrings in the trash. “If someone else doesn’t want it, I don’t either.” David’s patience finally ran out, and his face darkened even more. “Victoria, have I spoiled you too much?” The drowsiness hit me hard, and I yawned. “I’m tired, nothing else. I’m going back to sleep.” Seeing my indifferent attitude, David gritted his teeth and said, “Fine! You’re pushing me away, don’t regret it!” David turned to leave, but I called out to him. “Wait.” He smiled, thinking I was just playing hard to get. The next moment, I took out a pen and paper from the drawer and handed them to him. “Sign this.” David’s eyes immediately turned cold. “You stopped me just to have me sign some meaningless contract?” I smirked. “Maybe you should read it properly before speaking?” After looking at the document, David froze for a moment, then snapped the pen in his hand.

“Divorce Agreement? You want a divorce from me?” David narrowed his eyes and looked at me coldly. “Victoria, there’s a limit to how jealous you can be.” I responded indifferently, “I’m serious.” David’s face darkened as he slammed the divorce papers onto the table. “I won’t sign.” I spoke calmly, “If you don’t sign, I can still leave. It’s just a matter of time.” Unable to argue with me, David gritted his teeth in frustration. He snorted and stormed off, deliberately stomping his feet as he left. I knew what he was trying to do. He wanted me to chase after him. In the past, whenever he got angry, I would rush to apologize. But now? Who cared about him? I had more important things to do, like sleeping. The sound of footsteps outside gradually faded, and I quickly drifted into a deep sleep. The next morning, I woke up naturally. As expected, David hadn’t come home the night before. He must have been really upset yesterday. After breakfast, I took a taxi to the office and submitted my resignation letter to HR. Once that was done, I took out my phone and sent a message to our business partner. When we signed the deal, their only request was for me to be the point of contact. Now that I was leaving, I needed to inform them. After taking care of that, I turned to leave. Just as I stepped outside, I ran into David and Ella. So, he really did go to Ella last night. They were standing close to each other, chatting and laughing. “David, I’m really sorry about Hannah yesterday. She’s always been a handful, and with her parents both gone, I only asked you to act as her father to make her happy. Victoria wouldn’t mind, would she?” David scoffed. “What’s there for her to mind? She’s a mother herself now. She should learn to be more understanding.” I found it amusing. He wanted me to be understanding? Then why didn’t he apply the same to our own daughter when he cared about other people’s kids? When they saw me, both Ella and David fell silent. The air between us froze instantly. Soon, some colleagues broke the awkwardness with teasing. They crowded around me, complimenting Ella and David. “Wow, Ella, you and Mr. Blackwell kept it a secret so well, you even have a daughter now!” “So when are you two having a second child? You’d make a perfect pair of a son and a daughter!” Ella chuckled softly, casting a shy glance at David. David didn’t object, letting them tease without saying a word. But when my daughter and I came to the company to find him before, and she called him “Daddy,” he angrily slapped her ten times and told her to avoid causing trouble. Later, rumors spread about me and David, and he even fired the gossiping employees on the spot. Yet now, with everyone teasing him, he didn’t say a word, showing no care for appearances. What a hypocrite! As I thought about this, Ella had already swayed her hips over to me. “Victoria, why are you only just getting to the office now? It’s already eleven. You’ve been with the company so long, you should set an example.” David immediately grew cold. “Victoria, what’s with your attitude? “If you don’t want to work, just give your position to Ella. In terms of ability, she’s far above you.” I almost laughed out loud. David knew full well that the company depended on me for everything. Ella couldn’t even print a document, yet he said she was more capable than me. I knew exactly what he was trying to do, humiliate me and pressure me into giving in. But I was in a rush to catch a flight and didn’t have time for their workplace games. “It’s not that complicated. I’ve already resigned, and I can give up the position right now.” Ella pretended to try to convince me to stay. “Victoria, this isn’t the time to act on impulse. Your age is showing. After you quit, where are you going to find such a good job? You might even struggle to get a job as a janitor. “Besides, the company’s new product is about to launch. Leaving now would be such a loss.” Her words only made David angrier. He snapped coldly, “Ella, don’t try to convince her! Let her go. The company will be fine without her! “Just one thing, Victoria. Once the new product launches, the company is going to soar. Don’t come crying to me when you regret this.” It was hard to say who would end up regretting it. They had no idea that I was the only one in the company who held the core technology. Without me, they couldn’t even get the samples ready. If he wanted to list it, maybe in his next life. I sneered. “You probably won’t even make it that far.” David furrowed his brows in confusion. “What do you mean?” At that moment, his phone rang. It was a call from our partner. David immediately smiled, his eyes full of smugness. “The partner must be calling to discuss the new product launch. Now, you’ll regret it, but it’s too late.” To provoke me, he even put the call on speaker. But in the next second, the partner’s words burst his bubble. “Why haven’t the latest samples been delivered yet? If you don’t send them over today, your company will be facing a three-hundred-million-dollar penalty for breach of contract!”

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After finding out that I was a yoga teacher, my college roommates encouraged me to start a class and teach them. I agreed, charging 10 dollars per class and teaching four classes a week. But then, one day, they suddenly stopped showing up. I tried asking around, but no one would tell me what was going on. That’s when I found out my good friend, Emma Parker, had started her own yoga class, and everyone had switched to her instead. She only charged eight dollars per class. The thing is, Emma had only taken a few of my classes and wasn’t really qualified to be teaching yoga. Sure enough, she ended up injuring a student in class by being too rough with the support techniques and causing the student to break her leg. Today, not a single person showed up for my class. The dance studio, usually packed, was completely empty. I felt a wave of disappointment, thinking, “Was there some kind of school event I didn’t know about?” I packed up the mats and props and headed back to my dorm. But when I got back, I found out they’d already done yoga. I just stood there in the doorway, dumbfounded. “You didn’t come to my class, so where did you practice?” “The yoga studios outside the school usually charge over 100 dollars per class. Isn’t 10 dollars much cheaper?” I thought to myself. But no one said anything. They just glanced at me and went back to whatever they were doing. I felt really embarrassed. I turned to my roommate, Lily Woods, grabbing her shoulder. “Lily, what happened? Did I do something wrong?” She turned away, glared at me angrily, and shrugged my hand off forcefully. “Enough! I considered you a friend, but you totally screwed me over!” she shouted. I was completely confused and said, “I didn’t do anything!” Lily stepped forward, tilted her head back, and snapped, “You didn’t do anything? Then tell me how much a yoga teacher charges per class outside.” “You’ve asked the right person,” I thought. My family ran a chain of yoga studios, with both my mom and aunt being certified Iyengar instructors. I had been practicing professionally with them for years. By the time I was in high school, I was already a qualified advanced yoga instructor. So, I explained to Lily right away, “A yoga teacher teaching a corporate group of 15 at a studio can make 300 dollars per class!” “That’s complete bullshit!” she snapped, pushing me away furiously. “We’ve done our research, and the most a yoga teacher makes per class is 100 dollars!” I thought, “How is that possible? Where did she get this rumor from?” I panicked, with my heart racing. “My family…” “Your family what? Stop lying! We checked everything. The ‘Serenity Yoga’ you’re talking about isn’t even yours! The owner of that chain is someone named Parker!” Lily didn’t give me a chance to explain and turned to leave. I wanted to say that the legal representative of Serenity Yoga was actually my grandma!

Watching Lily storm off, I felt upset. But I knew she wasn’t a bad person. She was straightforward and cheerful. Maybe she was also a bit naive, which had made her used as a pawn for others before, not just once or twice. So, I was sure she wasn’t the one spreading that rumor. Who did this? I glanced over at my good friend Emma’s desk, where a few newly bought, unfamiliar yoga books were sitting. A thought popped into my head. Just then, Emma walked in after finishing up her wash. As soon as she saw me, there was a fleeting look of guilt and greed in her eyes—something hard to explain. But she quickly put on her usual smile and said, “Hey, sweetie, when did you get back?” I just stared at her, not saying a word. She came over and took my hands. “What’s wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?” Considering she was my best friend, but at the same time might be the one spreading the rumor, my tears suddenly started to fall. I was overwhelmed with hurt. “Emma, are you the one…” Before I could finish, a group of classmates rushed into the room. It was Belle Dassler who showed up with the other classmates. She shouted angrily, “Sophia Johnson! You money-grubber! You’re even scheming against your own classmates!” “Exactly! Are you some wild child raised without a sense of responsibility?” I was so scared that I kept backing away. Emma quickly ducked behind a classmate for cover. Belle’s face came right up to mine as she viciously demanded, “Sophia Johnson! You promised us you’d get us in touch with the factory and get us those yoga mats at the cheapest price. Don’t you have any shame?” Hearing her words, I was trembling with anger. “The factory sold them to us at the wholesale price of 68 dollars and even threw in yoga bricks and stretch bands!” Belle threw two yoga bricks at my face. “Who the hell wants your crappy yoga bricks? Take them back!” “That’s right! Giving away gifts? They were clearly just the leftovers!” Blood immediately started gushing from my nose. Fear flashed across the faces of my classmates, but it vanished just as quickly. I grabbed some tissues and held them to my nose, sniffling, “I have the chat logs with the factory owner. You can take a look.” “Pfft! Chat logs can be faked! You’re both in on it! Who would believe you?” Belle pointed at me and cursed, “Don’t give me that pity act! Refund the money for the yoga mats, now!” “Exactly! We want a refund!” “Give us back the extra charges for the classes too!”

I couldn’t hold back my tears. “Fine, whatever. I’ll refund them! But if I do, I won’t have any friends like you anymore!” “Who the hell wants to be your friend, you Ebenezer Scrooge!” “Haha, that’s right. Let’s call her Sophia Scrooge!” My nose was still bleeding, and I felt a little dizzy. “Give… give me back the yoga bricks and stretch bands I gave you as gifts…” Belle snickered, “You deceived us, and that’s payment enough.” “You guys are going too far. You know how much yoga mats cost in the market,” I cried, grabbing a few more tissues. “Then how did Emma find our yoga mats for 38 dollars?” Hearing this, my heart sank. I stopped crying instantly. I looked up and saw Emma, my best friend, standing behind the others. She quickly gave me a glance and then stepped forward, pulling everyone apart. “Alright, let’s calm down. I think that even if Sophia didn’t handle things right, she did help us practice before. We should be grateful to her.” “Pfft! You think we should thank her? No way! She charged us way too much!” “Totally! We’re all students with limited means, but she took advantage of us. She’s really despicable!” Emma stood in front of me, almost like she was defending me. “Didn’t she get punished already? Look, she’s bleeding.” “Serves her right!” “Okay, we’ll cut you some slack because of Emma, but you better refund the money today!” Belle tilted her head and said to me. The group of them left my dorm in a huff. Someone turned back and asked Emma, “Emma, what time will you teach us tomorrow?” Emma quickly glanced at me, then whispered, “I’ll post it on Facebook later. Please wait for a moment.” Then she hurried out of the dorm. Lily, who had been silent the whole time, clenched her fists tightly. She seemed to have made up her mind and walked toward me. She handed me a warm towel. “Sophia… No matter whether what you did before was right or wrong, I should’ve helped you just now. I didn’t know they’d hurt you.” I pushed the towel away, and it seemed that my movement made Lily look disappointed. I forced a small smile and explained, “Thank you for your kindness, but these are all evidence. I can’t wipe it off.” “I’m sorry, Sophia. I’ll keep an eye on them from now on. If anyone dares to hurt you again, I’ll fight back.” Her words were the only warm comfort I had the whole night. I shook my head at her. “Don’t worry. I’m fine.” Then, I gathered up all the blood-soaked tissues, didn’t change my clothes, and called my mom. “Mom, please call the police for me. I got beaten.”

Lily wanted to accompany me to the police station, but I refused. She nervously said, “Sophia, maybe I misunderstood you. Just now, I didn’t see any guilt in your eyes—only fear and disappointment.” “Of course not. I didn’t do anything wrong, so why should I feel guilty?” She nodded repeatedly. “Exactly. It’s actually Emma—her eyes were darting around, like she was hiding something.” I gave a helpless smile. She finally had a smart moment. She grabbed my wrist and said, “Sophia! She’s lying, right? I’m sorry for what I said to you earlier. I was so angry when I heard her talk about you, and I didn’t think clearly at the time.” I gently patted her hand. “It’s okay, just take care of yourself.” When she heard that, a small smile finally appeared on her face, but then a look of confusion crossed her face. “Take care of myself? What do you mean?” “I mean, don’t follow Emma exactly in her class.” “Got it!” My mom called me back at that moment. “Sophia, come downstairs. I’m at the east gate of your school. We’ll head straight to the police station.” Holding all the evidence, I rushed downstairs. As I was heading down, I passed by Belle’s dorm and she happened to see me. She shouted, “Are you out of your mind? What are you doing out so late?” Then Emma started shouting too. “Don’t let her get away! She’s trying to get out of paying the refund! Let’s bring her back!” By the time I reached the second floor, I could already hear heavy footsteps behind me, like they were chasing a thief. “Damn it, Sophia Johnson! Give us the refund!” “Refund the money! Don’t let her get away!” When I finally reached the door on the first floor, I didn’t stop—I kept running. My mom’s car was parked at the east gate of my school. I jumped in as quickly as I could and slammed the door shut. I looked back and saw those girls yelling at me, frantic and furious. Emma was panting from running, glaring at me with pure hatred. I suddenly felt a cold shiver run down my spine. Emma was a student from a poor background. One time, she casually said to me, “This world is so unfair. Some people have to walk miles to get to school, while others are born into families with cars.” I really wanted to comfort her at that moment, but then she said something that left me speechless. “All rich people should die!”

Emma was really good at pretending. I suddenly realized that from the very beginning, she wasn’t actually interested in learning yoga. At first, she complained that the classes were so tiring and everyone’s necks were about to break. Then she mentioned that yoga seemed really relaxing, and since I was good at it, I could teach them. I thought it would be fun for a group of college girls to get together and chat. So, I agreed. I figured it would just be a few people from my dorm practicing together. But then she went ahead and booked a dance studio. She actually gathered more than ten people for the class. She also told everyone not to let me work for free and that I should get paid for my time. She looked at me with those innocent big eyes and asked, “Babe, how much should we charge per person per class?” I glanced around at everyone, and the number of people was about the same as the smallest class size I usually had for my corporate courses. So, I thought, maybe I could cut the price in half and charge 150 dollars in total—just 10 dollars per person per class. For my corporate classes, each one lasted an hour. But for my classmates, every class I held was at least an hour and a half. I paid close attention to each person’s physical condition and adjusted my approach accordingly. My principle was never to pursue immediate results. I would never push anyone into a pose that looked impressive but wasn’t suitable for their body. My goal was for my students to gradually heal and improve their bodies—aligning the pelvis, realigning the lumbar spine, and restoring the natural curve of the cervical spine. Emma seemed incredibly flexible. But true practitioners understood that a stiff body often indicated better potential. It meant the joints were tight, and the ligaments had enough elasticity, which ultimately protected the body from injury. While it might look a bit clumsy, it was actually a good thing. Emma was the complete opposite. She could do advanced poses right from the first class. However, after observing closely, I noticed that her pelvis was severely tilted forward, and her knees hyperextended quite a lot. If she wasn’t careful, it could easily lead to fractures, which is a common issue in yoga practice. But when I thought about it, I realized she didn’t really take my advice seriously. In fact, she even seemed to think I was jealous of her. The classmates all praised her natural talent. They said things like, “Emma, you’re really made for yoga.” Some even remarked, “Look at Sophia! She’s been practicing for years and still can’t do the splits as easily as you.”

The classmates who had praised Emma before were all pretty eager for quick success. It seemed that it was exactly these irresponsible compliments that made her overestimate her own abilities, leading her to do things that hurt me. I’m afraid if they kept practicing yoga following her, it wouldn’t be long before they got hurt. “We’ve arrived, sweetie,” my mom gently patted my shoulder, snapping me out of my thoughts. The police, after receiving my mom’s call, had us go to the station to file a report right away. There were photos to be taken and evidence to be collected, and we had to contact the hospital for an injury check the next day. By 10:30 PM, I was finally allowed to leave. My mom then took me to the hospital for a quick check-up. The doctor said nothing serious, just some swelling and bruising on my nose. Only then did my mom feel relieved enough to take me home. “If it heals up, you won’t be able to get it checked tomorrow.” “Mom, there’s no way it’ll heal that fast.” She smiled and gave me a playful look. “I was just joking, see? You smiled.” I hugged her, feeling like a little kid again. She asked me what had happened as we walked home. I told her everything but still felt really angry. She put her arm around my shoulder and said, “People having differences in wealth shouldn’t be friends.” I stopped in my tracks and said, “Mom, I don’t agree with that. Throughout history, so many people have…” She interrupted me, “No, I’m actually not talking about financial differences, but the differences up here.” She tapped my head. I got it. Emma was short-sighted, focusing only on the small gains in front of her. She couldn’t even imagine that if she had just focused on her practice, I could’ve easily gotten her a spot at my mom’s company. Just then, my phone started ringing with a bunch of messages asking for refunds. I handed my phone to my mom. She smiled and asked, “So, what’s your plan?” “I want to refund everyone. That way, I can avoid any further entanglements and stop people from gossiping about it.” “You’re so smart! This way, even if they come back asking for your help again, they won’t have a leg to stand on.” Exactly. Thirty-eight dollars for a yoga mat and two dollars for a pair of yoga blocks—what kind of decent material could those possibly be made of? The yoga industry had already steered clear of these items. They had a strong, unpleasant smell. If left out in the sun, people would be breathing in that toxic air while practicing, which was a direct health risk. I sent a message to everyone. [I’ll refund you all, and I’ll even give you an extra 100 dollars each, but you need to return the yoga blocks and stretch bands I gave you.] Belle was the first to reply.

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I was Chloe White, the childhood friend who stood by Liam Xander’s side. I poured everything my family had into helping him climb the ladder. I stood by him when people mocked him as nothing more than the illegitimate son of the Xander family. I helped him secure his place in the family, then watched as he took over Xander Enterprises, becoming the most powerful man in Seabridge City. Everyone thought I’d bet on the right horse, that I’d chosen the man who’d make me Mrs. Xander. But then, at a gala celebrating his success, I overheard him say, almost casually: “The White family has no value left. Chloe White is nearly thirty—washed up and past her prime. How could someone like her ever be my wife?” “At best, I’d keep her as a mistress.” It hit me then—his excuses for not marrying me had never been about protecting me from his family’s enemies. It was simply because I wasn’t good enough. Liam Xander was about to reach the pinnacle of his career. The Xander family patriarch was on his deathbed, barely clinging to life. Round after round of security guards and caretakers came and went, and even the doctors Liam had hired from abroad at great expense could do nothing to save him. It was only a matter of time before Xander Enterprises fell into Liam’s hands. And it was at that critical moment that Liam asked me for a favor. He gripped my hands tightly, his gaze locking onto mine, his voice solemn: “Chloe, after everything we’ve been through, you’re the only person I trust with this.” He needed me to deliver a document overseas and insisted it had to be me—someone who wouldn’t draw attention from his vulture-like relatives. So, I boarded a plane alone, tasked with carrying out something only I could do for him. The trip was long and exhausting, spanning three months. By the time I returned, weary and disheveled, I didn’t find the joy of a warm welcome waiting for me. Instead, I saw Liam at a gala, toasting and celebrating. He wore a perfectly tailored suit, his face glowing with satisfaction, a faint flush on his cheeks. Beside him stood a beautiful young woman clinging to his arm—her radiant smile and elegance made them look like the perfect power couple. I squinted to get a better look at her, and a chill ran down my spine. It was Luna James, the sole heir to the James family. The James Corporation was the only company in Seabridge City that could rival the Xanders. Luna, though only in her early twenties, had already proven herself a ruthless and cunning businesswoman. She was known for her friendly charm in public, but behind closed doors, she could destroy competitors without batting an eye. Her beauty, her power, her family’s prestige… It all made sense. Of course Liam would fall for her. She was exactly the kind of woman any ambitious man would choose. And me? I was just the daughter of a once-thriving soap company that was now on the brink of collapse. Luna James was a rising star with a bright future. I was a nearly-thirty-year-old woman from a family in decline, struggling to make ends meet. Only a fool would pick me. The sharp pop of champagne being opened snapped me out of my daze, followed by the cheers of the crowd. I watched as Liam turned to Luna with a smile, brushing a kiss against her cheek before they walked together to the center of the stage. Under the dazzling spotlight, Luna’s hand lifted, revealing a massive 16-carat diamond ring that sparkled so brightly it hurt to look at. That’s when it hit me. This wasn’t just a gala celebrating Liam’s takeover of the Xander family. It was also his engagement party with Luna James. He’d sent me away under the pretense of delivering an important document just to get me out of the picture. It was his way of cutting me loose without having to deal with me. I tilted my head and thought to myself: Was all of this really necessary? Did he really think I’d cling to him and refuse to let go? When he told me I’d be Mrs. Xander, it was when his family refused to acknowledge him, leaving him to scrape by as the illegitimate son. When he told me I couldn’t be Mrs. Xander, it was when he was on the verge of becoming the head of the family. In the end, I’d never had a choice. I’d always known that.

The way Liam Xander and I met was straight out of a cliché “damsel in distress” story. Liam’s mother had been a servant in the Xander household. One drunken night, the old patriarch forced himself on her, and Liam was the result of that violence. But since Liam’s mother was an orphan with no family to back her up, she endured relentless mistreatment throughout her pregnancy. The women of the Xander family, unwilling to let an illegitimate child threaten their inheritance, tried everything they could to get rid of the baby. In the end, Liam’s mother died giving birth to him, leaving him alone in a household that wanted nothing to do with him. Because his mother was disrespected, Liam was treated no better. The patriarch didn’t care about him, and those with grudges against the Xander family took out their frustrations on Liam. Even as a child, he was targeted. Despite bearing the Xander name, he was ostracized, forced to work part-time jobs to survive while enduring constant bullying and struggling to keep up with school. One evening, a group of thugs—mercenaries paid by the Xander family’s enemies—cornered Liam in a dark alleyway after his shift at a café. They carried iron rods and bats, blocking his escape. Liam knelt on the ground, his face and hair covered in flour, his cheap, threadbare shirt stained with the stench of rotten eggs. His long bangs fell over his eyes, masking his expression. Every payday, these thugs would show up to torment him, taking sadistic pleasure in his suffering. Liam had tried to fight back once, but it only earned him a beating so severe he was bedridden for weeks. Nearly starving to death in his tiny apartment, he’d learned to endure their abuse, hoping they’d leave quickly once they were satisfied. “Liam Xander, you bastard,” one of them sneered, waving a bat in his face. “A pathetic little illegitimate son working at a café? Playing piano for tips? Who the hell do you think you are? You’re nothing but a pretty face. Who in Seabridge City would even dare to sponsor you?” Another thug laughed cruelly. “You’re only good for licking the dirt off my boots. Oh, wait—it’s your birthday today, isn’t it? How about I grant you a birthday wish? Go ahead and lick my shoes, and I might let you off easy.” The group erupted into laughter, lighting candles and holding them over Liam’s head, letting the hot wax drip down toward him. Liam instinctively tried to dodge, but one of them grabbed his arms and forced his face down into the rough, dirty cobblestones. The melted wax and grime-covered boots pressed against the smooth lines of his face, smearing blood and dirt. The metallic tang of blood filled the air, mingling with the overwhelming stench of their cruelty. Their laughter grew louder, more twisted. They were ready to draw knives, aiming to scar the flawless face of the boy they held down. But suddenly, the sharp wail of police sirens broke through the night. I stood at the entrance of the alley, holding up my phone with a smirk, feigning nonchalance as I crossed my arms. “I got everything on video,” I said cheerfully. “The cops are on their way. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll get out of here now. Otherwise…” I cracked my neck, my fingers flexing as I tilted my head. The leader of the group scowled at me. “Do you even know who sent us?” I scoffed. “I don’t care who you’re working for. Even the most powerful people have a reputation to protect. Bullying a high school kid? If this video goes viral, do you think the authorities won’t step in? ‘Campus bullying’—it’s a pretty hot topic these days. Wonder what the education board would say.” The thugs exchanged uneasy glances. The higher your status, the more you cared about your image. After a moment of hesitation, they spat out a few curses and ran off, yelling, “You’d better watch your back!” As soon as they were gone, I rushed over to Liam, extending a hand to help him up. My chest heaved as I caught my breath. “God, that was terrifying,” I muttered, clutching my chest. “Thank goodness that worked. I just transferred here, and this is what I walk into? Unbelievable.” I looked him over, still breathless. “You’re lucky, though. If I hadn’t stepped in, your pretty face would’ve been ruined. And that would’ve been a tragedy for humanity.” I tilted my head, studying his sharp jawline and high nose. His cheeks were flushed, and his long lashes cast shadows over his unreadable eyes. I gasped. “Seriously, if they’d scarred you, it would’ve been a crime against nature.” Liam gripped my wrist tightly, his voice quiet but tinged with gratitude. “Thanks,” he said. “But you’ve just made trouble for yourself.” I raised an eyebrow. Of course, I already knew what he meant. I was well aware of the enemies circling the Xander family, and I’d just put myself in their crosshairs by helping him. But I smiled, gripping his hand in return. “Don’t worry about it. I’m the kind of person who sees things through. You’re with me now.” I grinned mischievously. “If nothing else, I’m Chloe White. Say my name, and I promise you’ll never have to pay for soap in Seabridge City again.” Liam stared at me for a moment before letting out a soft laugh. Our eyes met. And that’s where the story began.

Because my parents moved our company’s operations to Seabridge City, I naturally ended up transferring to a school there. Before arriving, I did my homework. I was determined to help Liam Xander escape the hell he was living in. By sheer coincidence, we ended up not only at the same high school but also as desk mates. When we met again, he hesitated for a moment before pulling out a thick notebook filled with chemistry notes. “I think this might help you,” he said, his tone unsure. I was sitting there, staring hopelessly at my abysmal chemistry test score, so I was surprised. Taking the notebook, I flipped it open to find pages full of colorful annotations. From the periodic table to detailed explanations of formulas, it was all meticulously laid out—far more thorough than anything our teacher had ever covered. As I skimmed through the pages, his neat handwriting caught my eye, and an idea suddenly struck me. I looked up at him, excited. “Liam Xander, you should be my tutor!” I said, practically bouncing in my seat. “And stop working as a dishwasher at that dingy restaurant.” Liam froze for a moment before shaking his head. “No, that’s not why I gave you the notebook. I just… wanted to thank you.” “I know, I know,” I said, waving him off. “But my family runs a soap business, and if my chemistry grades don’t improve, my parents will cut off my allowance. Please, just think of it as a good deed, okay?” I clasped my hands together, looking up at him as if he were a god. Unable to argue with me, he finally gave in. And so, he became my public desk mate and my private tutor. Because of this arrangement, Liam no longer had to juggle working late nights and studying. He even managed to save some money. Once, I handed him an envelope stuffed with cash. “Professor Xander, I owe my chemistry turnaround to you. This is the reward my parents gave me—we’re splitting it,” I said with a grin. His face turned bright red, his ears flushing a soft pink. “Chloe White,” he said after a long pause, “let’s go to the same college.” Feigning ignorance, I teased him. “Why would you want to go to the same college as me?” He took a deep breath, then pulled a simple silver ring from his bag. “I know I’m not really in a position to say this right now, but… I don’t want to wait anymore,” he said, voice trembling ever so slightly. “I like you, Chloe White. Be my girlfriend. I promise I’ll give you a good life.” I recognized the ring. It was from the most expensive jewelry brand in Seabridge City. He must’ve spent most of his tutoring earnings on this. Liam’s heart was racing as he held the ring out, his breathing uneven. He didn’t even dare blink, afraid he’d miss my response. Tears welled up in my eyes. I reached out, nodded, and whispered, “Yes.”

An illegitimate child like Liam was invisible to most people—a convenient scapegoat for anyone who held grudges against the Xander family. But I was determined to help him reclaim his rightful place within the family. The biggest obstacles were the two acknowledged Xander heirs: Shawn and Lucas. Fortunately, both of them had their weaknesses. Shawn was a womanizer, and Lucas was a gambling addict. Liam and I devised a plan to deal with them. The blaring music in the nightclub was deafening, the heavy bass pounding in my chest. I wore a silver sequin dress so short it barely covered my thighs. My makeup was deliberately innocent, making me stand out among the other women at the bar. Shawn, with his beer belly and greasy hair, gave me an obvious once-over. After confirming with the manager that I was just a regular college student, he waved me over with a sleazy grin. Feigning shyness, I sat down beside him. The stench of alcohol and cigarettes hit me so hard I almost gagged, but I forced myself to smile. With a timid expression and a flattering tone, I raised my glass of tequila and said the most insincere words of my life. “Shawn, you’re the most handsome guy I’ve ever met. It’s my first time here, so I don’t know the rules. Let me drink to you first!” To put him at ease, I downed several glasses in one go. My head started spinning, but the plan was working. Just as Shawn leaned in to make a move, I pressed my hand against his and coaxed him into sharing a drink with me. The moment I saw him finish the spiked drink, I relaxed, exchanging a glance with one of Liam’s people across the room. They nodded slightly. Shawn threw an arm around my waist, pulling me toward the exit. His hand roamed indecently, his warm, sweaty palm sliding across my back. I wanted to push him away, but my limbs felt weak. Damn it, even the manager had drugged me. The stretch limousine we had prepared was waiting outside. According to the plan, I was supposed to escape at this point, leaving Shawn to meet his end in a staged car accident. But his bodyguards suddenly intervened, grabbing me and forcing me into the car with him. As I watched the headlights of the oncoming truck growing closer in the rearview mirror, I shut my eyes tightly. Damn it, Liam Xander. If you don’t save me, I’ll haunt you for the rest of your life.

The expected crash never came. Instead, Liam Xander burst onto the scene, revealing the assassins the White family had secretly arranged. Using the semi-truck, he forced Shawn’s car off the road, driving it into an abandoned, desolate area. A bloody fight broke out. Amid the chaos, Liam risked everything to find me, bound with duct tape and tossed into the trunk like discarded luggage. By the time he located me, tears and snot were smeared all over my face as I sobbed helplessly. He hurriedly untied me, his hands trembling. But before he could finish, a blade flashed in the darkness, slicing across his back. A deep, bloody gash opened instantly, and I screamed, shaking my head as I watched him stagger forward, blood dripping from his body. Despite the wound, Liam turned and fought back furiously, his every movement fueled by sheer willpower. When it was all over, bodies lay scattered around us—some dead, some severely injured. Shawn was on his knees, sobbing and begging for his life. “Please, don’t kill me! I’ll pay you anything you want!” he wailed, his voice cracking. My hair was a tangled mess, and I was still crying. I clung to Liam, pleading with him to get medical attention for his wound. But Liam simply shook his head. Instead, he pulled me into his arms, his voice chillingly calm as he whispered, “Which hand did he use to touch you?” I shook my head, refusing to answer. The priority wasn’t revenge—it was getting rid of the evidence. If anyone found out, Liam wouldn’t just be in trouble; the entire White family would go down with him. But Liam let out a low, bitter laugh, his eyes burning with fury. He gently touched the top of my head, his gaze shifting to Shawn, who was still kneeling and begging for his life. “You,” Liam said, his voice icy and venomous. “Trash like you dares to lay a hand on Chloe?” Before Shawn could respond, Liam moved swiftly. Gripping a curved blade, he stepped forward and, without hesitation, severed Shawn’s arms. Blood gushed from the wounds, soaking the ground as muffled screams escaped Shawn’s gagged mouth. Sweat poured down Shawn’s face as he writhed in agony, the sheer terror in his eyes silencing any further pleas for mercy. I watched in stunned horror as Liam, his face splattered with blood, methodically dismembered Shawn. The storm clouds above rumbled ominously, and the distant sound of thunder echoed through the air. When it was over, Liam’s men dragged Shawn’s remains into the wilderness, leaving them for the wild dogs to feast on. I stood frozen, unable to process what I had just witnessed. My mind was blank until Liam pulled me into his blood-soaked embrace, snapping me back to reality. “Shawn is dead,” I whispered, my voice trembling. “What if the Xander family finds out? What then?” Panic gripped me as I clutched his arms, my thoughts spiraling out of control. “Liam, you need to leave. Go far away where no one can find you.” But my words didn’t faze him. Instead, his eyes gleamed with a chilling excitement, a cold and dangerous light. He tightened his hold on me, his voice low and steady. “Chloe, don’t be scared. I’m here.” “I knew it,” he murmured, his tone almost tender. “No matter what happens, you’ll always think of me first.”

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Three years ago, I accidentally witnessed my husband’s scandalous affair with our adopted daughter, who has dwarfism. As a result, Gabriel completely rejected me. Rose, our adopted daughter with dwarfism, locked me in the cellar, chaining me through my shoulder blades until I was nothing but skin and bones. Three years later, Rose fell seriously ill, and Gabriel finally remembered me. He brought a large group of people to search for me, but all traces led to the cellar in our own house. He thought I was still throwing a tantrum. “If you’re willing to personally perform the surgery on Rose, I can forgive you for leaving without a word three years ago,” he said. My voice was hoarse, and when I opened my mouth wide, I could only make a “heh heh” sound. Finally, Gabriel opened the cellar door himself. Only to find me, starved to death. Three years ago, I should have been at work, but I returned home to retrieve an important document I had accidentally left behind. That’s when I discovered my husband’s affair with our adopted daughter with dwarfism. In our mansion, all the servants had been sent away. Our marital bed was creaking rhythmically. Rose, our adopted daughter with dwarfism, was wearing my sexy nightgown, straddling my husband’s lap. “If she knew that you only adopted me to make it easier to sleep with me, she’d probably die of anger.” “Well, she’s so stupid she can’t even tell you have dwarfism,” Gabriel said, looking satisfied as he held Rose. “We absolutely can’t let her find out. I told her I’d love only her for life. If she wasn’t on her period lately, it wouldn’t be your turn, you little minx.” I trembled all over, my eyes instantly turning red. Gabriel and I had been in love for years. Everyone said Gabriel was a good man. When he pursued me, he said, “I want to win your heart and grow old with you.” After we married, he even dismissed all the female servants in the house, even hiring a male housekeeper. All to prove his undying love for me. Everyone said he loved me more than his own life. But only I knew that Gabriel had one exception: Rose. Rose was the adopted daughter Gabriel had insisted on taking in. His exact words were: “Rose was entrusted to me by my war buddy. I can’t abandon her.” I never imagined he would personally “take care” of her in bed. Whenever it came to matters concerning Rose, Gabriel seemed to lose all reason. On our first wedding anniversary, I had carefully prepared a special celebration. But because Rose had sprained her ankle, he left me waiting and personally took her to the hospital instead. Once, when things were getting hot and heavy between Gabriel and me in bed, Rose called, crying that she was afraid of thunder. Gabriel pulled up his pants and went to comfort her. There were many such incidents, but I never thought much of it. I never imagined they had been having an affair all along, and I had been kept in the dark for so long until this accidental discovery. It turns out Rose has a childlike appearance due to her dwarfism. I had been fooled so badly. I thought I would burst in angrily and confront them. But I didn’t. I just stiffly put down the file folder and waited for the two inside to finish. I thought Gabriel would look guilty and ashamed after being discovered, but he was surprisingly calm. “Since you’ve found out, you should treat Rose even better from now on. She’s not really your adopted daughter, so don’t force her to call you mom anymore. If you two can get along harmoniously, I won’t have to go to the trouble of hiding it anymore.” Gabriel looked at me as if everything he had done was justified, as if I had forced him into this. I trembled with anger, almost on the verge of collapse. I pointed at the two of them and said, “How could you do this to me?” Since marrying Gabriel, I had done everything to please him. I even often handled his family business affairs for him, giving him more free time. Out of pity for Rose’s tragic past, I made her nutritious soups every day. But these two had been doing such outrageous things behind my back. “Why are you acting like someone from the old society? Can’t you handle even this much?” “Let’s talk when you’ve calmed down. I’m going on a business trip for a few days.” “I’m afraid you might hurt Rose while I’m gone, so I’ve transferred the house’s security and management rights to her,” Gabriel said with a look of disgust, then put on his coat and left. Only Rose and I were left in the room. She pitifully held a bowl of chicken soup, looking helpless. But I only felt disgust and knocked the bowl out of her hand. “Rose, you make me sick. Is tricking me so much fun?” If I had known earlier that Rose wasn’t really a child, but just a person with dwarfism, I would never have agreed to my husband’s adoption plan. But as I turned away, a flash of malice and cruelty crossed Rose’s face. That night, while I was sound asleep, she snuck into my room and smashed a vase against the back of my head. The once gentle and timid adopted daughter with dwarfism suddenly turned into a powerful brute. With a hideous expression, she grabbed my hair and inhumanly dragged me into the cellar. “You should have just gone along with it. Mia, you’re nothing but an orphan. How dare you give me attitude?” “You shouldn’t have discovered our dirty secret. To keep you from telling anyone, and to make him love me more, I have no choice but to do this to you.” Rose threaded an iron chain as thick as a finger through my shoulder blades, locking me in the cellar. I screamed shrilly, but no one heard me. A feeling of utter despair washed over me. When Gabriel returned from his business trip, he didn’t find me at home. He asked Rose, but got no answer. In the end, he just assumed my disappearance was my way of protesting against him. Gradually, I was forgotten. “Mia, are you addicted to throwing tantrums? Forget it, don’t bother about her. If she wants to run away from home, let her go.” I cried out in my heart: No, I didn’t! Gabriel, why couldn’t you look for me a little harder? I was imprisoned like this for three years, becoming nothing but skin and bones. Rose would occasionally bring me some leftover dog food, just enough to keep me from starving to death. My tongue had been cut out, so I couldn’t say a single word. But recently… I felt confused, blinking my sore eyes. Rose hadn’t given me any food for a long time. My body was extremely weak, all four limbs chained, surrounded by darkness and a foul stench. A bitter smile crossed my mind. Perhaps today would be the day I die. But then Gabriel brought a large team of bodyguards to stand in the courtyard. Pinching his nose, he called out: “Mia, I know you’re hiding in there. If you’re willing to personally perform the surgery on Rose, I can forgive you for leaving without a word three years ago.”

I had been missing for three years, and Gabriel finally remembered me. He thought I was still throwing a tantrum and kept trying to persuade me: “Mia, I won’t agree to divorce you. You’ve been gone for three years, surely you’ve had enough of being willful. It’s time for you to come back.” “Mia, Rose is seriously ill. All the doctors in A City told me that only you can perform this surgery. Please come out and do the surgery for Rose, okay?” My expression was wooden, but hearing these words, I finally showed a hint of emotion. So Rose was seriously ill. Gabriel, you only remembered me now? It’s been three years already? Before marrying Gabriel, I was a highly reputable doctor. After marrying him, I became the lady of his house. Every day was spent taking care of Gabriel and handling messes for his family business. If not for Gabriel’s calls, I would have forgotten that I was once a doctor. I opened my mouth, wanting to shout loudly, wanting to tell Gabriel that I was in the cellar. But I could only make a “heh heh” sound. I had lost my tongue long ago. I began to cry silently, tears wetting my cheeks. Gabriel continued shouting in the courtyard: “Mia, stop throwing tantrums. Rose is our adopted daughter. How can you bear to see her die so young?” I remained silent, my face wooden. What he didn’t know was that Rose had imprisoned me for three years. For three years, I had lived like a dog. Without a tongue, I could only make low whimpering sounds. The interior of the mansion was managed by servants arranged by Rose, so no one had discovered me. Gabriel frowned coldly: “Mia, you’ve gone too far. What kind of tantrum are you throwing? Don’t forget you’re still my wife. All these years, you’ve never fulfilled your duties as a wife.” “Compared to Rose, you have absolutely no sense of responsibility.” He snorted in disgust, comparing me unfavorably to Rose. Gabriel felt a hint of unease. He had investigated his wife Mia’s whereabouts and found that she hadn’t left the city three years ago. In the end, all traces pointed to this cellar. But would Mia, a person with severe germaphobia, hide in a cellar for three years? This was clearly impossible. Gabriel took out a handkerchief from his pocket and covered his nose and mouth, as if something was bothering him. The closer he got to the cellar, the stronger the strange smell became. He called out a few times but heard no response. His impatience reached its peak. “Send a few men to break down the cellar door. I want to see what’s inside that could keep her hidden for three years.” Gabriel sneered, his eyes full of disgust. “Maybe her lover is in there.” With a loud “boom”, the bodyguards went forward to check, but then turned back to report: “Mr. Gu, there’s a specially made iron door inside. We can’t break it down.” Hearing this, Gabriel was stunned, then flew into a rage. As if he had caught me in some wrongdoing. He continued shouting into the cellar: “Mia, I knew you were hiding in there. I never specially renovated the cellar in this mansion. It must be you in there!” “Continue, continue breaking it down. I want to see what Mia’s lover looks like.” He seemed to have completely forgotten that he was the one who cheated first, and instead was bent on catching evidence of me having an affair. I curled my lips, moving the iron nails in my face, causing festering blood to flow out. Gabriel, when you personally see me in this miserable state, will you regret indulging Rose? After a bout of violent demolition, the cellar was opened. Fresh air rushed in for the first time in years. “Mr. Gu, it’s open. But it’s filthy and stinks inside. It doesn’t look like a place where someone could live.” The bodyguard casually glanced around at the entrance. “Do you want to go in and check yourself?” Gabriel frowned, not believing it. He wanted to search the place himself. But just as he was about to step into the cellar… “Mr. Gu, the hospital called. Miss Rose’s condition has worsened.” Gabriel’s face changed dramatically, his voice trembling. “Let’s go to the hospital. Rose’s condition is urgent.” “Mia, you’d better come out voluntarily to perform surgery on Rose, or I’ll never let you off for anything.” His eyes were only for Rose. Even as he left the cellar, he had to leave those harsh words for Rose’s sake. As I heard the footsteps moving further away from me, I became anxious. I started making whimpering sounds with all my strength. Help! Gabriel, I’m just a few steps behind you. Gabriel, if you just turn around, you’ll see me. But having not eaten for days, I quickly ran out of strength to call out. A wave of dizziness completely enveloped me. But Gabriel didn’t notice the commotion behind him at all. Instead, he walked towards the hospital without stopping. My vital signs began to disappear.

As I lay dying, my soul seemed to float above the hospital. I heard Gabriel suppressing his anger. “Mia should be the one dying. Rose is so pitiful, why does she have to get this illness?” Rose lay pale on the hospital bed. Her words implied: “I don’t blame Mia. It’s my fault for doing wrong with Gabriel. She hates me and deliberately poisoned me to cause this illness. I deserve it.” Floating nearby, I couldn’t help but smile bitterly. So even as I was about to die, Rose was still throwing mud at me. I was really about to die. Gabriel began to curse angrily: “Mia, you’re so heartless. Rose is just an innocent girl. Just because she has dwarfism, you had to do this to her?” “If you have the guts, keep hiding. Don’t let me catch you, or I’ll definitely punish you severely.” A flash of malice crossed Rose’s eyes as she asked expectantly. “I heard Gabriel went to find many doctors for me. Did you find that reclusive doctor?” Gabriel’s face froze, then he comforted her, patting her shoulder: “Rose, I’ll definitely get that doctor to perform surgery on you.” “I believe in you, Gabriel. You’re the best.” The two were lovey-dovey in the hospital room, not at all mindful of the medical staff. I felt utterly hopeless. Even though Rose had shown me countless intimate photos over the past three years, it was nothing compared to what I saw today. I felt a surge of blood in my heart, a sweet taste spreading in my throat. This was the omen of death. My pupils dilated, and after spitting out a mouthful of blood, I finally passed away. Gabriel rushed back to the cellar entrance. “Bang bang bang.” Violent knocking came from the cellar door. This time, Gabriel opened it himself. His expression was full of disgust, not even trying to hide it. “Mia, it’s been three years. You should have some limits.” For Rose’s condition, even if there was only a glimmer of hope, he recklessly plunged into the cellar. But the cellar was empty, except for various blood-stained torture instruments. And a blood-covered figure that was almost mummified. Nothing else. He walked towards the wooden stake, full of suspicion, cursing as he went: “Mia, what kind of trick are you playing?” But the next second. His expression changed drastically, as if he had seen a ghost. His lips trembled, even his fingertips shaking. The objects in the cellar were old and in disrepair. After the bombing and blasting, the wooden stake was about to collapse. The stake swayed, about to fall to the ground. In that instant, Gabriel clearly saw the face of the blood-covered figure. He scrambled towards the blood-covered figure. His eyes nearly popping out of their sockets: “Mia!”

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On the day I turned eighteen, I was kidnapped. The kidnappers called Theo, demanding 60 million as ransom. “The notable second son of the Taylor family, surely you wouldn’t hesitate to spare 60 million for a young girlfriend? Such a pretty girl, it’d be a shame if she were to end up a mess!” I lay there with a dislocated shoulder, crying and begging Theo on the phone to save me. But he just asked the kidnappers with chilling indifference, “What makes her worth 60 million?” Enraged, the kidnappers broke three of my fingers. I could never play the piano I loved again. When I saw him again later, I addressed him politely and distantly as “Mr. Theo.” He cornered me in a room, gently caressed my face, and softly coaxed, “Sound, be good. Call me Third Brother like before, okay?” “Sound, we’re in Seaside City now.” As the plane landed with a slight jolt, the nightmare dragged me into an even darker abyss. Thankfully, my assistant woke me up just in time. I seemed to have dreamt about what happened six years ago again. That feeling of fear, helplessness, and despair brought tears to my eyes once more. Seaside City. A place of decadence, filled with schemes and devoid of warmth. If it weren’t for helping Asher secure resources for his new movie, I wouldn’t have returned here. After leaving the airport, the car my assistant arranged hadn’t arrived yet. Just as I was about to hail a taxi, I heard a hesitant voice behind me, “Miss Fiona?” I turned around, freezing in place. It was Uncle Nolan, Theo’s driver since he was fifteen. Behind him was a Phantom. I immediately noticed the familiar license plate: 1108, November 8th, Theo’s birthday. My heart gave a slight tremor. As the car window slowly lowered, that familiar face appeared before me. “Sound?” Theo sat inside, his shirt unbuttoned at the top, revealing a perfectly sculpted collarbone. He no longer had the sharp arrogance from six years ago but seemed more cool and reserved. Under his slanting brows were deep, captivating eyes. Six years had passed, yet he still looked like a delicate ink painting, sending chills through my body. I never expected to run into him on such an ordinary afternoon. “You’re back?” His expression was appropriate and natural, as if I had just been on a trip. He seemed to forget that six years ago, I was in that cold, damp, filthy room, my arms dislocated, crying and begging him to save me. He used the same indifferent tone to tell those kidnappers, “What makes her worth 60 million?” “Little girlfriend? You’re overthinking it. I, Theo, wouldn’t bother to spend 60 million on someone irrelevant. If you want it, ask the Lewis family.” He knew perfectly well how difficult my situation was with the Lewis family. I yelled into the phone, “Third Brother! Consider this 60 million a loan from you. I’ll pay it back! Please, don’t abandon me!” A few seconds later, I heard him sneer, “You’ve been calling me Third Brother for years, and you really think of yourself as part of the Taylor family? Know your place. Stop bothering me, do as you wish.” The last sentence was directed at the kidnappers. I stared blankly as the call ended. It was my only hope. Theo personally snuffed it out. Later, the furious kidnappers broke three of my finger bones. They even considered assaulting me and sending the video to Theo. Fortunately, the leader remembered Theo mentioning I was from the Lewis family. They hesitated, not daring to offend both the Taylor and Lewis families. In the end, it was Phoebe, whom I always looked down on, who, under Mr. Lewis’s orders, paid to have me released. She untied me, then slapped me hard. “Fiona! You’re such a curse!” In the past, I would’ve hit back. Theo would always stand behind me, calmly telling me to retaliate against anyone who bullied me. He was always my biggest support. But now, I owed the Lewis family 60 million. The person who once said he’d be my support for life didn’t even show up. Phoebe mocked me then, “Just an abandoned child the Lewis family doesn’t want, yet you dare to think you can have the Taylor family’s prince? Who gave you the face?!” I calmly retorted, “Just because I can call him Third Brother, and you can’t.” But Phoebe sneered, “You’re just a diversion in Theo’s boring life. Do you really think you’re that important?” She didn’t know that someone as proud as Theo once knelt on one knee to massage my sprained ankle. Thinking back, the confidence I had then only made me feel more ridiculous now.

“Where to? I’ll take you.” Theo’s cool voice pulled me back to the present. The cold, dull pain from my right hand’s three fingers returned. I hid my trembling hand in my pocket, stepping back to increase the distance from him. “Thank you, Mr. Theo, but there’s no need. I’ve called for a car.” He chuckled softly, his voice resonating like a cello. Theo spoke with some helpless reproach, “Been wild for a few years, and you don’t even call me Third Brother anymore?” My nose tingled. I couldn’t help but mock, “How could I dare to call you Third Brother? Mr. Theo, did you forget six years ago when you told me to know my place? I might not have many skills, but my memory is good. One lesson and I’ll never forget. I even have to thank Mr. Theo for such a vivid lesson. Truly benefited greatly.” I regretted it immediately after saying it. I’d held onto that for years, and he knew it as soon as he heard it. Theo looked up at me, a storm brewing in his eyes. After a while, as my palms began to sweat, he finally spoke softly, “…You sly girl, sharp-tongued.” Then he tapped on the car window, “Uncle Nolan, let’s go.” Watching the car drive away, I finally exhaled. Six years. Over two thousand days and nights, and when he appeared before me again, I was utterly defeated. My assistant cautiously watched my expression, hesitantly asking, “Fiona, I heard you call him Mr. Theo? In Seaside City, with the surname Taylor, could it be…?” Seeing me nod, the assistant’s eyes widened. “I heard that Theo’s investing in Asher’s new movie. Since you know Mr. Theo, why go through the trouble of meeting Nolan?” “I’ll never ask Theo for help!” I sharply interrupted the assistant. She shrank back, “I understand.” The car finally arrived. I composed myself, picking up my suitcase. “Call Mr. Nolan’s secretary and tell her we’ve arrived. Please arrange a meeting with Mr. Nolan.” After instructing the assistant, I leaned back in the car’s rear seat, closing my eyes to rest. Our first confrontation left me exhausted. And of course, someone had to add fuel to the fire. Zane’s call was relentless, like a haunting curse. I sighed, admitting defeat. “Hello? You better have a good reason for calling. I just sat through a four-hour flight and I’m very tired.” She laughed. “More tired than dealing with my Third Brother?” “Where are you hiding, watching the show?” Zane “tsk”ed several times, speaking mysteriously. “Today’s a high-level meeting at Quinn Enterprises. My uncle, father, second brother, and fourth brother are all present. It’s the most important meeting of the year for Third Brother, but he’s constantly checking his watch, distracted. As the head of the group, he was eager to leave halfway. Guess why?” I wouldn’t be naive enough to think it was because of me. “Zane, you know I’m not very curious. I have things to do, see you.” Zane shouted anxiously over the phone, “Hey! Sound! My Third Brother…” I decisively hung up the call. With Zane knowing I was back in Seaside City, there’d be no peace. I had a headache. Things needed to move quickly. If this negotiation went well, Asher could achieve significant career advancement with this movie. Although he always said he didn’t mind staying in the second tier, I felt indebted. Asher had helped me so much over the years. I just wanted to repay him. This time, I finally managed to get a chance to talk to Nolan from StarSource Productions. I had to seize this opportunity. In the end, my assistant and Mr. Nolan’s secretary arranged for us to meet for dinner the day after tomorrow. After placing my luggage at the hotel, I decided to visit the Lewis family. Nolan wasn’t someone easy to fool. To get resources from him, I needed something from the Lewis family to boost my worth.

My name is Fiona Lin. I’ve always known my “Lin” comes from the renowned prominent family in Seaside City. But they’ve never acknowledged me. Until I was ten. The Lewis family suddenly came to Oakridge to find Grandma and take me back. I held Grandma’s hand, crying and refusing to go. Grandma, tears flowing, held me tight with her frail hands. “Sound, go! The Lewis family can give you the best education and let you continue piano lessons. Grandma’s useless, can’t give you anything.” I was taken into the Lewis family’s car, my cries echoing against the window. In the back seat, an older man spoke calmly. “Doesn’t your Grandma have kidney disease and can’t afford dialysis? If you come back with me, I’ll ensure she gets it every week.” Later, I found out he was my grandfather, the head of the Lewis family, a man who thrived on manipulating people’s lives. And I was just a ten-year-old child. I returned with him to the Lewis household. As I stood in the grand hall, people around me pointed and mocked with disdain. “Did she pick that outfit from the trash? Goodness, it even has patches!” “Her shoes are filthy. I can smell the stench from here.” “Born from filth, what else would you expect from the likes of her?” The harshest words came from Phoebe’s mother. She despised me. My mother, a bar pianist, fell in love with my father at first sight, and soon after, I was born. But a family like the Lewis’s would never accept her. My father loved her deeply, so much that he renounced his status as a Lewis to be with her in Oakridge. If only the story ended there. But life is never that serene. Grandpa threatened my father with my mother’s safety, forcing him back to the Lewis family to marry Phoebe’s mother. My mother fell into a deep depression and died shortly after giving birth to me. When my father heard of her passing, he went to her grave in Oakridge and took his own life. At that time, Phoebe’s mother was six months pregnant. In his farewell note, he wrote that he had fulfilled his obligations to the Lewis family. That poor woman went mad, transforming from a graceful lady to a bitter, spiteful woman. She hated my father, hated my mother, and hated me. But they were gone, so she unleashed her hatred on me. Someone had to bear her torment and share her pain. Hatred needs an outlet. Otherwise, how could she combat the solitude that crept into her bones at night? But what was my fault? I was just an infant, my mother gone, my father choosing death over raising me. Where could I vent my grievances? Moreover, she knew full well that my father had my mother and me before her. She also knew my father didn’t love her, yet she followed her family’s arrangement to marry him for an alliance. Life is about choices. No one else is to blame. When Grandpa declared that I would stay with the Lewis family, she lost her last shred of dignity. “Dad! You promised me you’d never give this wretched child a single dime! And now you’re bringing her into our home, isn’t that a slap in the face?” Grandpa coughed heavily, “Declan is at a critical juncture. If it’s discovered that we abandoned our own flesh and blood, how would Declan continue his path?” That’s my Grandpa for you. Every step he takes is calculated and strategic. “Declan, Declan! He’s all you care about! I’ve been a widow in this house for almost ten years! Ten years!” Watching the hysterical woman before me, I quietly picked up my luggage and stood aside. I’m not foolish. Grandma’s dialysis costs depended on the Lewis family. Ten years of hardship taught me to be adaptable. What does it matter if I’m scolded or hated? Grandma’s illness is the most important. In Oakridge, each dialysis session costs five hundred. She needs at least two sessions a week. I don’t have the luxury to turn away from harsh words with flair. In this world, everything has a price. Including pride and dignity. And that’s when Theo entered my life.

Phoebe’s mom hurled the vilest insults at me, calling me a lowly tramp like my mom, saying I should have died with my parents, rotting in the mud. Grandpa couldn’t stop her. I pretended not to hear. Go on, curse all you want. I’m staying with the Lewis family anyway. The more you curse, the longer Grandma lives. Until someone chuckled from the corner of the sofa. Everyone’s eyes turned to him. He stood up lazily, straightening his wrinkled shirt. “Mr. Lewis, your house is quite lively today. I see you have a lot to handle, let’s reschedule our meeting about the land in East City.” Grandpa was startled, having forgotten there was an outsider in the mansion. “Theo, sorry for the oversight. You should head back today; I’ll invite you to the garden for tea another day.” He strode over to me. “Excuse me, your bag is in my way.” Oh, sorry. I obediently moved my luggage aside. He gave me a meaningful look, muttering softly, “Let’s see how long you can keep this up…” Then he turned to Grandpa with a smile, “I heard Declan is about to get promoted. Congratulations in advance. A scandal wouldn’t be good right now. Mr. Lewis, you should keep an eye on your backyard.” Grandpa’s face turned dark as he saw him out. Turning back, he slammed his tiger-head cane on the ground and pointed at Phoebe’s mom, scolding her. “You’re a disgrace! Embarrassing us in front of the Taylor family, get inside!” She wanted to retort but was silenced by Grandpa’s fierce glare, reluctantly taking Phoebe with her. “Wait,” Grandpa stopped her, rubbing his temples tiredly. “I know this is hard on you, but we can’t let anything jeopardize Declan. Haven’t you always wanted that Rongxi Jewelry under my name? I’ll transfer it to you the day after tomorrow.” Her expression softened. “Thank you, Dad.” I secretly rolled my eyes. See, in this world, everything has a price. With that jewelry store, Phoebe’s mom was appeased and would mostly ignore me. But Phoebe never knew when to quit. Even at a young age, she had a knack for making people’s lives difficult. She’d pour water on my bedding, dump my tests in the toilet, and let the Lewis family dog drink from my cup. Once, she tossed an expensive hairpin into my coat pocket and then told Grandpa it was stolen. When they found it in my coat, her face was smug and arrogant. Everyone could see her framing me, but no one would blame her. She told everyone I was a thief. People in their circle all hated me. Except Theo. When Phoebe tried to slander me, he’d laugh, “If I were her, I’d steal money instead of some worthless hairpin. That’d be brainless.” The Taylor and Lewis families had a long-standing relationship. He was very respected in their circle. Phoebe always clung to Theo, but he found her too young to hang out with. His defense of me fueled her resentment. Grandpa enrolled me in top-notch piano lessons, and the teacher was very strict about punctuality. If a student was late, they wouldn’t be accepted, no matter who vouched for them. So when Phoebe got my schedule, she deliberately sabotaged all the car tires at home when I had class. The Lewis mansion was over ten kilometers from the piano teacher’s studio in the city center. I bit my lip, ready to run the distance. Just then, Theo, finishing his business at the Lewis’s, saw me. He called out to me. “You’ll be late even if you run till your legs give out. My car’s by the riverside, I’ll take you.” I turned back, surprised. Phoebe cried, “Third Brother, why do you always help her?” Theo glanced at her, his tone cold, “Third Brother? Who said you could call me that?” She was startled, sobbing quietly. He walked over to me, frowning, “What are you waiting for? Let’s go.” His presence was intimidating; I shrank back, quickly following, thanking him as I went. “Thank you, Mr. Taylor.” “…Stop babbling.” He suddenly spoke from the back seat. “The softest fruit gets squeezed first. Do you want to be trampled forever?” I saw his disapproving eyes in the rearview mirror. Only then did I realize his annoyance was because I didn’t fight back. “Thank you, Mr. Theo.” “…Stop rambling.” Even though he’s only twenty, he’s already experienced in negotiations alongside his father. That’s why I address him as Mr. Theo. It seems like a respectful title, but he still looks displeased. Feeling defeated, I opened the passenger door and got in. From the back seat, he unexpectedly said, “The weakest get trampled on first. Do you want to be walked over your whole life?” I caught his frustrated expression in the rearview mirror. It dawned on me that his annoyance was because I hadn’t stood up for myself earlier.

Once I got involved with Theo, Cora began to dislike me even more. She would deliberately stop the staff from saving me dinner when I practiced piano and would secretly take or tear up my homework. At school, she teamed up with other wealthy kids to bully me, splashing dirty mop water on me and then strutting past with their noses in the air. I complained to Grandpa. But he just shrugged it off, saying, “It’s just Cora being playful. You’re older, you should let her.” He forgot that I’m only a year older. Besides, she has friends to share with, a mother to spoil her, and a grandpa to back her up. I have nothing here. I could only endure it and hope she’d tire of her pranks soon. But continually giving in only encourages a bully. At thirteen, I signed up for the Seaside City Piano Competition. The night before the contest, she shredded the dress I was supposed to wear and poured laxatives into my milk. I caught her in the act. For this competition, I’d practiced until 1 or 2 AM every night. The gold prize came with a reward of 30,000 yuan. I wanted to give it to Grandma. When I saw Cora showing no shame despite being caught, I lost my temper for the first time. I pushed her hard and scolded her, “The Lewis family has raised you with such poor manners!” She was shocked that I dared to retaliate and lunged at me, trying to pull my hair. I grabbed her hands, turned my back, and threw her over my shoulder, slamming her to the ground. In Oakridge, I used to carry dozens of pounds of waste, so dealing with a pampered girl was no challenge. “Cora, is bullying the weak your idea of pride? Do you think I won’t hit you back? I don’t punish you because I pity you for not having a father, just like me! Remember, I owe nothing to your mom or you! From today, I won’t tolerate you anymore. You better behave!” Cora noticed the cup of milk on the table. Milk splashed all over her head and face, leaving her in a mess. She froze for a moment, then covered her face and started crying. I turned to leave. When I looked back, Theo was watching me with interest. “Oh, the new little wildcat finally showed her claws? Pretty sharp ones too.” He’s known for being rebellious and unpredictable. Although he had hinted I should fight back, he’s known Cora for years. Surely, he wouldn’t hit me for her sake. I stiffened and walked past him without looking, trying to keep my face calm. I hoped my composure would intimidate him a bit. As I passed, he chuckled and called out, “Hey, your walk is off.” “…” He crossed his arms and said from behind, “Well done. That’s how you do it. Fight back if someone bullies you.” In the Lewis family, rare acts of kindness came from him. A fleeting sadness crossed his face, disappearing almost instantly. Later, I learned he had a similar childhood. With no one to protect him, he stumbled and grew into someone nobody dared to mess with. “You have to stand tall so everyone looks up to you rather than looking down.” Watching him walk away, it felt like something hit my chest. That night, a brand-new dress appeared in my room. The card read: [Good luck tomorrow, wildcat with the funny walk.] I pressed the card to my heart and had the sweetest sleep. The next day, after the competition, I stood on stage with the gold trophy, enviously watching other winners receive flowers and blessings from family and friends, feeling a sense of loneliness. As I exited the venue, Theo stood at the bottom of the long stairs, smiling and waving at me. “Fiona, come over here to your third brother.” His words left me dazed. Theo was third in the Taylor family. Everyone knew only those he approved of could call him “third brother.” The trunk of his car was filled with flowers. Among them was a small cake. On top, it read [TO: Fiona]. The cake was small, the words scrawled crookedly. Yet, my eyes welled up, and I hugged my trophy, sobbing.

Later, Theo told me back then, he was at a loss. The little wildcat’s sharp claws were intriguing, but when she hid them and showed vulnerability, it made his heart inexplicably nervous. When I received the prize money, Theo took me back to Oakridge. I placed the newspaper-wrapped 30,000 yuan in front of Grandma. She was shocked at the amount, then stuffed it back into my school bag. “Fiona, Grandma has money. You need it more at the Lewis family.” “Grandma, keep it! I’ll earn more in the future! Right, third brother?” Theo smiled warmly. “Yes, Grandma, it’s Fiona’s hard-earned reward from winning the piano competition.” On the way back, I was in high spirits. I hopped all the way from the Seaside City riverside to the Lewis family mansion because I realized I could earn money without relying on them. I’d really grown some skills. A whole 30,000 yuan! If I participated in more competitions, I could soon save enough for Grandma’s kidney transplant. After I taught Cora a lesson, she never troubled me again. She even awkwardly asked if I had piano lessons and if I needed dinner saved for me. The young girl entering puberty started showing some softness. The future held a bit of hope. Lost in my happy thoughts, I didn’t notice and missed a step. Theo caught me. His angelic face was only eight inches away from mine. My heart pounded wildly in my chest. The unfamiliar sensation scared me, and I pushed him away. But as soon as my foot hit the ground, a sharp pain shot through me. I fell. Theo frowned, lifted my ankle, and said, “How old are you? How can you sprain your foot on a road like this?” He knelt, scolding me while carefully removing my sock and gently massaging my ankle. “Bear with it, don’t cry, it will get better.” The skin on my ankle inexplicably heated. I stared blankly at the top of his head and his slightly red ears. A girl’s heart fluttered like cherry blossoms in March, disturbing the spring water. Before I could think, the confession slipped out. “Third brother, I like you.” He rolled his eyes. “Young girl, what do you know about liking?” Liking doesn’t have an age limit. I was certain of my feelings at that moment. I’m not a reserved girl. If I like someone, I’ll say it. At first, he treated it as a joke. Later, he looked at me helplessly. “Fiona, I’m eight years older than you. You’re young and don’t understand real liking.” Again with the age thing. I began to compete with him over this. That year on my birthday, Theo asked what I wished for. I lay on the table, grinning at him. “I wish the third brother would like me too.” He facepalmed speechlessly. Every birthday after that, I would ask him, “Third brother, I’m a year older now. Can you like me?” His silence grew longer each year, but his refusal remained unchanged. “Fiona, you’re still young.” I didn’t mind and blew out the candles, going about my business. I’d grow up someday. By the sixth year, I no longer needed to confess.

I still remember my 18th birthday was a perfectly clear day. Seaside City in June was unbearably hot. The cicadas’ cries marked the start of the SATs. Over the years, thanks to Theo’s special treatment, I slowly became accepted in their circle. His cousin Zane even became a good friend. Except for Cora. Our relationship, which had improved slightly, fractured again as Theo and I grew closer. I knew she had liked Theo since childhood. She scolded me for being so high-profile, saying I’d end up crying one day. I didn’t take it seriously, thinking it was just jealous talk from a girl unable to get what she wanted. But I forgot she’d been in this circle much longer than me. She saw the looming crisis more clearly. Theo had mentioned he’d give me an unforgettable birthday this year. I already had a vague idea of what he planned to do. I’ve known since childhood that she’s had a crush on Theo. She scolded me, saying that someone with my status shouldn’t make such a big deal out of a confession. “Fiona Lin, nobody in our circle dares to treat Theo like that. With your high-profile antics, you’re bound to end up crying one day!” I didn’t pay it any mind, thinking it was just jealousy from a girl who couldn’t have what she wanted. But I forgot that she’d been part of this world much longer than I had and could see the hidden dangers more clearly. Theo had already told me that this year, he was going to make my birthday unforgettable. I had a hunch about what he was planning. Last year, when I confessed, he turned me down with “You’re still young,” but now it had shifted to “Let’s talk when you’re older.” When people mentioned me in his presence, they’d tease him with, “Your Fiona.” He would just smile without further explanation. His behavior seemed to announce one thing: I was no longer just admiring him from afar. So, this year, I started looking forward to my birthday days in advance. On that day, I wore the brightest yellow sundress in my wardrobe, applied a bit of lipstick, and left home in high spirits. Theo had been busy with a deal for his company, Jing’an International, so I didn’t ask him to pick me up. Instead, the Lewis family driver took me to our meeting place. But as soon as the car got onto the Seaside City Bridge, two vans blocked us. The driver slammed on the brakes, nearly throwing me forward. Before I could grasp what was happening, five or six men rushed out of the vans, yanked open my car door, and dragged me out. They looked fierce and menacing, and fear gripped my heart. Then, a handkerchief with a strong medicinal smell covered my face. I heard one of them say, “Grab this girl’s phone and call Theo. See if he wants this gift.” My heart sank. I knew the acquisition he was working on was challenging, and the other party had even roped in some shady characters to deal with him. If my guess was right, they planned to use me to force Theo to abandon the acquisition. “Hey, Fiona—” I managed to call out “third brother” before I completely lost consciousness. When I woke up, it was pitch dark. Several unfamiliar faces were smirking at me. I struggled wildly, my wrists chafed painfully by the ropes. One of them cursed, walked over, pinned me to the ground, and twisted my shoulders harshly. My screams echoed in the dilapidated house. My dislocated arms hung limply, and I lost the strength to struggle. The kidnappers picked up my phone and called Theo again, demanding 60 million in ransom. If he chose to save me, the 60 million shortfall would force him to abandon the acquisition, affecting Jing’an’s future and his business empire. I was lost in thought when I heard a response on the other end of the line. Theo’s voice was distant and cold, “60 million?” Then there was a long, dead silence. My heart turned cold inch by inch. “Third brother…” I murmured. Did I overestimate my importance? Would he really exchange part of his business empire for me? The kidnappers lost patience. “I heard this girl is a piano prodigy? Heh, Mr. Theo, what do you say if a pianist loses her hands?” I saw him press down on my hand and raise a hammer high. It hurt so much. It really did. I curled up, convulsing in pain. The sound of bones breaking and flesh being crushed echoed in my ears. Cold sweat soaked my dress. I screamed in agony. The kidnapper laughed into the phone, “Mr. Theo, does it sound good? If you don’t speak, I’ll hit again!” I cried to Theo on the phone, “Third brother, I beg you to save me! They’ll really cripple my hands!” The kidnapper taunted, “Come on, the prominent second son of the Taylor family, won’t you even spare 60 million for your little girlfriend?” Theo laughed. “Little girlfriend? You’re thinking too much. Everyone knows that we Taylors always marry into the Carter family. If my fiancée hears this, I’ll be in trouble.”

The three kidnappers were stunned. “Boss, did we grab the wrong person?” The leader scowled, “Impossible! I saw the photo. It’s this girl!” “But didn’t Theo just say he’s marrying into the Carter family?” “The Taylors are masters at playing with people’s hearts. You believe him? Theo, if you don’t pay, this girl’s other fingers won’t be safe!” I lay on the ground, waves of excruciating pain washing over me. I couldn’t help but beg him again. “Third brother, consider this 60 million a loan from you. I’ll definitely pay you back! Please, don’t leave me!” Theo was silent for a few seconds, then chuckled. “You’ve been calling me third brother for years, and you really think you’re a Taylor? You don’t even know your place. You’re just a plaything I use to amuse myself when I’m bored, no different from a cat or a dog. 60 million? Are you worth it? Alright, everyone, I have things to do. Do as you please. If you want money, go to the Lewis family. Don’t bother me again.” Listening to the busy tone on the phone, I felt utterly hopeless. After hanging up, the enraged kidnappers broke two more of my finger bones. I curled up in agony, my dress bunched up to my waist. One of them leered, tossing aside the hammer and moving to undress me. “Since this girl isn’t Theo’s woman, I might as well have some fun!” The sound of ripping fabric was clear. His rough fingers trailed across my chest. I was completely desperate. I glared at the man in front of me. Even if I were to die, I would take one down with me! He buried his face in my neck, biting randomly. I turned my head and bit his ear hard. “Ah! You bitch! You want to die!” He punched my chest and stomach, making my vision go dark, but I kept my bite until his ear bled profusely. He finally broke free, then kicked my ribs hard. I heard a crisp crack. The man raised the hammer high, aiming at my head. I closed my eyes. The leader suddenly stopped him. “Wait! What did Theo just say? Go to the Lewis family for money? What does this girl have to do with the Lewis family? We caught her near the Seaside City Bridge, by the Lewis mansion! Girl, are you from the Lewis family?” I spat out blood, my voice faint, “Didn’t you… do any research before kidnapping someone? My grandfather is Mr. Lewis. Can you really afford to offend both the Taylors and the Lewis family?” The kidnapper leader stared at me darkly. After a while, he said, “Keep an eye on her. I’ll make a call.” I breathed a sigh of relief. At least my life was spared for now. I never imagined that, in Theo’s heart, I meant nothing. My hands, my life, he didn’t care at all. I had been in Seaside City for eight years, and he was the one who had given me the most warmth and protection. I trusted him too much. For many years after, I couldn’t help but wonder what would have happened if Theo had chosen to save me. I would have been eternally grateful to him. My simple affection would have turned into a god-like dependence and love. With the power of the Lewis and Taylor families, they could have found the best doctors in the world to heal my fingers. I would still be the dazzling Fiona Lin. But Theo abandoned me. Once, Phoebe told me I was just a surprise, an interlude in Theo’s otherwise monotonous life. Vibrant, lively, interesting. But that was all. I foolishly hoped he would love me. This was the punishment given by fate. Three broken fingers taught me a harsh truth.

Later, I didn’t know how the kidnappers contacted the Lewis family. When I woke up again, Phoebe had brought several bodyguards to rescue me. The kidnappers were nowhere to be seen. As soon as she saw me, she slapped me hard. “Fiona Lin! You’re such a disaster! Didn’t I warn you not to be so high-profile in this circle? Did you listen?!” She untied my ropes, her tears falling onto me. “I don’t want to be picking up your body next time!” I smiled at Phoebe from the back of a bodyguard. “I owe you my life, sister.” Blood is thicker than water, after all. However, when I returned to the Lewis family, Grandpa just gave me a cold glance and sent me back to Oakridge. “Fiona, everyone knows you’ve been kidnapped for three days. You’re a girl, you know what people will think. Your third uncle has already drawn enough attention because of this case, and it’s not good for the Lewis family. Our family is already in turmoil and can’t afford any more gossip.” Even Phoebe couldn’t stand it. “Grandpa! What gossip could be more important than family health and safety? Besides, sending her away now only confirms those nasty rumors!” “Fiona, everyone knows you were held captive for three days. As a young woman, you’re aware of the assumptions people will make.” “Your uncle has already been under intense scrutiny because of this incident. This is not beneficial for the Lewis family. Our family is already on shaky ground, and we cannot withstand any more rumors.” Phoebe finally couldn’t stay silent. “Grandpa! What rumors could be more important than the safety and well-being of our own family? Plus, sending her away now would only validate those terrible rumors!” His response was a stern reprimand. “What do you kids know? I have my own arrangements. Focus on your studies; that’s what truly matters!” He took a deep breath and turned to me. “Return to Oakridge. With your grandma looking after you, I’ll be more at ease.” I let out a bitter chuckle. I was well aware of Grandpa’s indifference. What I didn’t foresee was that he wouldn’t even bother to help treat my dislocated finger. My belongings were hastily packed and placed by the front gate. Grandpa arranged for two bodyguards to escort me back to Oakridge overnight. I didn’t go straight home. In this condition, I would frighten Grandma. I borrowed a phone from one of the bodyguards and called Asher. Even though he immediately took me to the best hospital in Oakridge, my finger was not treated in time due to the delay. Now, it shakes uncontrollably. It doesn’t significantly impact my daily activities, but it’s not as agile as before. I know that from now on, I can no longer play the piano.

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